On Sept 23 daddy went into the hospital for a broken toe as the result of a fall. He was only there for 3 days and then he went into a nursing home for rehabilitation for 21 days. The physical therapy really helped him. He could get out of his wheel chair with only 1 person to help, he had a standing tolerance of about a minute and a half and he could walk with his walker for about 20’. We were encouraged to see how much he improved. We got him home on a Monday October 22nd. He liked his new helper Alex who took beautiful care of him and gave him his dignity. We felt hopeful. But by Friday it became apparent that he was struggling. I told him that Ginny and Jim were on their way.He was trying to hang on. I don’t think he gave up or just decided it was time to go, he was fighting to stay longer. During the predawn hours of Saturday, he passed away, in his own home, in his own bed, holding hands with the love his life for over 70 years, Dolores.
Throughout our childhood, we watched the mean progress of his arthritis. He never said a word about it. He never complained about pain. Even up to his last days, if you asked him how he was, he would say “I'm great”. If you never saw him, if you only talked to him on the phone, you would never know the severity of his condition from the sound of voice or anything he said
When I saw daddy on that last Friday, I thought, he will never tell another joke. His last joke was at the nursing home
Working on this memorial has given me pause for thought about daddy’s life and the person he truly was, without the stigma of disease. He was devoted to us and the life he created for us.
As I was sifting through photos, I felt like I was having a conversation with him. I only wish that we could have replayed the last act, because we learned so much. But he did it his way. As a family this final experience with daddy has brought us closer together.
His last joke:
He’s in the nursing home…The physical therapist walked in and he said “you look like you’ve been in the military”. Daddy said “I’m a general”. The PT says “really!” “A general!” “what type of general?”. Without missing a beat daddy says “a general nuisance”.
Good bye daddy, We'll truly miss you. love always, Christie
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