http://www.flickr.com/photos/whanford/4352430966/Today, a little after 3 p.m., my dad went home to his heavenly father.
I posted earlier that he had been taken off the respirator and was improving. Well, after looking at his oxygen intake, his doctor decided to put him back on and ween him off slowly. Well that was Feb 4th. He finally was where his doctor thought he should be yesterday. When I spoke to my mom she mentioned that it was the first day he seemed to be doing really well. Today, when she got to the hospital he was up and just back from his physical therapy, which consisted of getting out of bed and standing for about a minute and then getting over to chair to sit down. He and my mom talked for a bit and he mentioned that he was really tired. I still don't know all the details, but my mom called to tell me that he coded around 3 and was never resuscitated.
If you listened to my dad, he's been dying for about 2 1/2 years now. He is prone to exaggeration, but he was a lot closer than I would give him credit for. It has been amazing how many things have fallen into place in those 2 1/2 years. I could give you a list a mile long. When my mom called today to tell me that he was coding, I knew, deep down, that he was on his way home.
Now, we're one of those Christian families that you hear about. We believe that if you are a believer: absent from the body is present with the Lord. I know when my time here has run its course I, too, will step into eternity and be reunited. While this gives me peace (Philippians 4:7), the next few days and weeks will be hard. I would ask that you pray for my family, and especially my sister, Ruth. Her road will be much harder. She has a hard time letting go. Your prayers for her will be much appreciated.
Mom and Dad at Christmas
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whanford/4352475356/Ruth and Dad 2006
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whanford/4352431048/in/set-72157623422991172/I don't know all the details as of yet, but the funeral should be sometime next week, possibly next weekend. Once I know some specifics, I will let everyone know. There's no reason to send anything, but if you must, a card or note would be nice. The best address would be:
The Hanfords
6190 Bur Oaks Lane
Naples, FL 34119
Thank you again for all your prayers. They were not in vain. My dad lived to see 72 years in January, and died with, as he liked to put it, his "first wife" at his side.
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