Home Bittersweet Home

Well, so now we continue catching up.  We made it to see my family and were so thankful!  Dad was so sick in the hospital, we didn't know how much longer he had.  Eventually he had a turn for the better and we brought him home on hospice care.  It was wonderful to see him and my Mom, sister, and niece every day, but it was difficult to keep our 3 little ones quiet so he could rest.  Also, it was hard to see him weak and in pain and not be able to help.  We prayed a lot during those days.

The Sunday after we got back, we decided to have Lucy baptized.  We wanted Dad to be there.  It was a beautiful day.  Dad made it to the church -- along with most of our family from Chris' side as well.

As time went on, we talked with my parents and decided we should make our way back to India.  I was apprehensive because I didn't want to leave my family, but I knew we couldn't stay indefinitely.  Also, my Mom and Dad encouraged us that we couldn't 'wait around forever' and that 'we had work to do in India'.  This helped us decide to go ahead and plan our trip home.  We decided to go back for a week of debriefing and visiting friends in Minneapolis where we lived last year.  We said goodbye to my parents.  As I left my Dad for what I thought would be the last time, I said, "I love you, Daddy."  He looked at me with clarity in his eyes -- something that the medication he was on usually took from him.  He replied, "You have a Heavenly Father who's a better Daddy than I could ever be.  I trusted you with Him before and I continue to trust you to Him."  That was the last thing my Father ever told me.

While we were in Minneapolis, we purchased tickets to fly out on a Monday. The Thursday before, we received a call from my Mother.  Dad was a lot worse again.  We looked into cancelling our flight and made straight for Princeton.  We got there at 5:30 and my sister, Valerie, arrived with her family at 6:30.  Dad opened his eyes -- after a day of being completely 'out of it' -- and called us each by name.  He kissed the grandkids and told them he loved them.  Then, he went back into a comatose state.  At about 11:00 at night, Dad got really agitated and Mom called for my sisters and me.  We held hands around his bed and sang his favorite Easter hymn.

Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o'er his foes.
He arose a victor from the dark domain
And he lives forever with His saints to reign
He arose, He arose
Alleluia, Christ arose

As my Dad took his last breaths we were singing the Doxology and then finished with Amazing Grace.  Tears were streaming, but they were actually tears of joy.  What was he seeing right then?  How happy must Jesus be to give him a new, whole body and welcome into the Kingdom?  How happy must Dad be to be hearing the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

All I felt was gratitude.  I could (and do) miss him tomorrow.