A poem wrote with tears in your pen. Take care. Charry

I felt the same way back in March and April. My Dad finally gave up the fight 4/6/09. He was buried on Good Friday and the only thing that kept me from feeling all was lost is the fact that maybe (just maybe) he would rise up on the third day just as Jesus had...

I have no profound wisdom to give you at this time. I only wish your Dad peace, and you my friendship...

Jeaux

Peace...

Your father is so lucky to have you by his side as he passes into the night.

What a profoundly deep and thoughtful prose. My prayers are with you and yours on this, your last minutes, hours, days with your father, your teacher, your medic, your nurse maid, your strength.

Stay strong.

I will say a prayer for your Dad..you take care...

we are all with you at this difficult moment and wish you and your family the best. peace be with you
sincerely, pete

Ranch-My prayers are with you.

It is so quiet
this morning
there is no sound
on the wings

taking charge of the body as it wanes it so hard when you love the spirit inside.. remember, it is only the covering and the things you do support what is left of the physical body.. his spirit is bright and waiting to finish it's journey.. i hope all the memories will carry you through this difficult time!!! all the best,, Jenny

I am sorry for your loss. No matter how old we are, the passing of a parent is difficult to take.
My father was very ill for about 10 years and finally he told us he was tired and didnt want to go into a hospital again. So we honored his wishes and he stayed at home while we could be there along with all his grandchildren. To him that was heaven.
He passed away shortly afterward.
My father was a big part of my life, he helped mold me into what I am today.
Thank you for posting , I am sure it wasnt easy

At the age of 8 my mother died and my dad soon after, my sister's recent passing has made me the head and none of this is easy. My thoughts are with you and your family at this time and son's need hugs.

I will always carry a part of him in me as those who have gone before, our debt needs few words just understanding.

Take care John

The sadness ambushed me. My faithfull side is at war with the physical and visceral side of me. I love what is the true essence of dad, the soul and what actually make him up. The corporal mortal shell is the part I can hold and behold fully, the part ime gonna miss is what is on the inside. My faith is stronger than my physical longing for him to stay.
He has suffered enough all my life that release will be a wonderfull blessing, He will rise and go on to his brothers and family,Of that I have absolutly no doubt. God will open the way and Jesus will take his hand and take him home when his time is done...here.
which is where we still are and will be when he is gone.
The physical side of me is watching him fade, and im helpless to ease the way or to stop the natural course of life.
One morning i will wake and he would have gone on. I am happy the suffering is going to end.
I am going to be sad too.
Thank you guys for the shoulders.
William.

I know there's nothing I can say to make this difficult time easier but you're in my thoughts and prayers.

On angel's wings to God's hands -- so sorry for your heartache.

Judy

I'm so sorry for your loss Ranchhand. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family

My thoughts and prayers are with you, my friend.

Cath

~~ The Next Room ~~

Death is nothing at all, I have only slipped

away into the next room. I am I, and you are you.

What ever we were to each other, that

we still are. Call me by my old familiar name,

speak to me in the easy way which you

always used. Put no difference in your tone,

wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes

we enjoyed together. Pray, smile, think of me,

pray for me. Let my name be the household word

that it always was. Let it be spoken without effect,

without the trace of a shadow on it. Life means

all that it ever meant, It is the same as it ever was;

there is unbroken continuity, Why should I be

out of mind because I am out of sight?

I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere

very near, just round the corner. All is well.

For I have gone to a city where the roses never fade.

~by: Canon Henry Scott Holland~

Ranchland,
You are the one now doing right by your father, facing one of the most difficult challenges of your life. You are now providing peace, strength, love, support and your very self. That, my friend, means more than anything else.

You, your father and your family are all in my prayers. Keep the faith and continue to provide strength for your father and family.
Jay

Dear Ranchhand,

May God's presence be felt during these long minutes, hours and days.

I pray for continued strength for you... physically, mentally and spiritually.

May God supply your physical pains with comfort and warmth more than ever right now, may He fill your thoughts with the happier days spent with your Dad and may your faith in Him reassure you of the eternal love He has for you and your Dad.

As He holds your Dad's hand to welcome him home, heaven will surely be celebrating.

You are in my thoughts and prayers. Please know we are here for you today, tomorrow and the many days thereafter.

God bless,

Tammy

I so appreciate the support, the moments come and go where all my defenses go down, but right now its ok.
Dads fading away as Tolstoy put it. seemingly disregarding his old body because he is going to be fitted with a new one, this one with a pair of wings.
Thank you again for the love and support and I'll see yall later.

Ranchland, what a great way to put it! (I may use that in the future, don't worry I'll credit you! )

Your father is obviously in good hands right now!
Jay

are lucky to have each other. The best part is, when you see each other again, it will be for eternity without any pain or suffering. Please know that you and your dad are in my thoughts.

my friend , I am so sorry for what you are going through but please remember that I am always a PM away and I will always be there for you....no matter what. You and your family will be in my prayers....much love....Miki

Dad finished up his business here sunday. You could say he was a wee tired. it was a peacefull passing with all of us around him singing him home.We were blessed as well as he with an easy passing. sorry I was incomunicado this week. Bless you all and happy day to ya!

my heart goes out to you and yours...thankful that it was with ease his passing, and that he had those he loved around him. take care...

I've been thinking of you. I'm glad he had his family around him and that his passing went peacefully.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Take care, my friend.
Cath

I was with him from friday to the time he passed. I was doing the "Long watch" giving mom and sis a rest, Its easyer coming to terms in the long silence.
I understood Immaculate Marys smile, Its sad coz she knows what Ime going through, but after a while it was a knowing smile because She knows what was in store for dad when he reached the Gates.
Where does time go?
there I was a child holding his hand when I was scared, Now Ime holding his hand ressuring him its goin to be alright.

We put him in the same ground he had worked as a young man. All we are is ashes and dust. We go back from where we were initially made from, and so he returns.
The part we miss is the soul, whats on the inside,, this imperfect shell we inhabit is only here for the journey between.
his body was worn and tired but his spirit was undefeated.
As mine is,
As yours is.
Keep your chin up and keep the good fight in your heart and your eyes on the horizon, thats where the real prize lays.
William

We all know and understand that its the cycle of life but the human part of us hurts for the one we love and lost. I wish you the peace that comes from knowing you did all you could. I'm sorry for your loss and will keep you and your family in my prayers.

Debbie

I understand your loss, and am sending you blessings and peace. Good job, faithful servant and Son.

I'm glad that you were able to make your fathers last days better ones- how could they not be with a son like you?

Please know that you have my condolences and prayers to make it through these tough times to come. You are a fine son indeed and your father was a lucky man to have you in his life.

Griff

Ranch....my thoughts and prayers and with you and your family...I know how difficult it is to loose a mother or father...You will be give the strength to continue on Ranch..Many Blessings to you.

Cynthia

I have to say, I only hope that when the time comes I can do as good a job at being a son as you have.

I could wish no more of my own sons.

Hope all feel peace in this time of passing.

For the kind words, shoulders and support. This chapters closed.
and another one is unfolding, change happens and we either ride the tide to somewhere better or founder on the shoals.
The winds at my back and the tide is running so why not come along? I think I will see what is beyond the far horizon once again.
coming?

Don't know what to say. I do feel your pain because I was in this same scene March and April... Saying so-long to someone so important and strong is never easy. Knowing you will meet again is a little bit comforting.

Cyber hugs, prayers, thoughts... know I have you in mind when I type those words.

well... I spent an hour writing a magnum opus, and some where near the end, I pushed a button and I lost it...dang.
All those near and far, those held close and those now stars, I am humbled by the outpouring of love. Me and mine appreciate the strength and courage you gave us.
Thank You
William

Theres plenty of room for all of us, "Well pluck and pluck the silver apples of the moon, and the golden apples of the sun" well take a big bite out of life while we are free no?

You have been a good and faithful son and your dad is above the clouds, watching over you with pride and joy! I, too, have been in your shoes, the tides come and go, as well as your feelings of loss, sometimes happy memories, sometimes sadness of your loss takes over, but always, the unconditional bond and love in your heart, memories you will always have to sustain you through the days ahead. I hope you will accept my deepest sympathy in the loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers will be with you today and the days ahead.

Kathy

this is definitely a ride that I want to go on....like Cath and you said....the wind at our backs and us looking toward the horizon , toward our unknown yet beautiful future.....and the silver and golden apples sound heavenly.

My friend , I just want to be there for you as you have been there for me. You have given me strength when I had none and your beloved words always amazed and astounded me , they reached down to my very soul and brought comfort to it....so let's take that ride and let's find our happiness....I wonder who else would like to come.

All my best to you.....Miki

Some day we'll all be free of these prisons our bodys become, and we'll stand shoulder to shoulder,
and People will look and say I wish we would have stood with Titans such as these.
All of You guys at S/H,my friends, my future friends and those we have seen along the way are an amazing group of people.
As our little signal wends its way in space into eternity, there will be some one some where thinking who were these people? these intelligent, compassionate loving being who rush to comfort and aid their fellow man at the drop of a heartbeat?
Then they will know one true thing...
Hope exists,
you cant stop it and you cant kill it
Thank you all again for the support!

Some where someone is looking up to you guys, there is a place for them here, that is hope for those whove no voice...YET. to come forth and share misery and delight alike! thats who you...we are.
who would not like to stand among those people such as we have here?

As dad wends his way through eternity, maybe he will hear a signal along the way, and know its gonna be all right.
I think with people like you guys this world will KNOW, that everything is going to be all right,

Because,
you love and give love, and who or what can stand before that raging sun and not be humbled before that?

You banish the darkness with the light you give.
William