21 April 2008

My Dad passed away today

Cross-posted from our family blog:

Dear family and friends,

Dad passed away just before noon today. He was sleeping comfortably and peacefully in his bedroom, and we were all gathered around him with Mom holding his hand. Dad hadn't been fully conscious for about the last 24 hours, but when Mom took his hand just before the end, he wrapped his fingers around it. We all told him we loved him, kissed him, and hugged him, and then he passed away, as peaceful as any of us could imagine.

Dad continued to be alert and constantly cracking us up with his humor, until Saturday bedtime. As was the case all along, Dad's final couple of days were peaceful, free of pain or suffering, and surrounded by his beloved family.

It's with enormous grief and sadness that we share the loss of our husband, our Dad, our friend, but also with deep gratitude to have been loved and served and taught by this good man, who was completely himself his entire life - full of strength, humor, and caring for all of us.

We're more grateful than ever for your love, prayers, and support, dear friends.

Love to all of you.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

all my love.
stacy

Tim Mathis said...

Many condolences, Mike. God bless in this difficult time.

Tim

Anonymous said...

mike, may you and your family feel God's peace and hope and presence in amazing ways in the weeks and months to come as you journey through this loss, grief, and celebrating of your dad's life.

Bishop Alan Wilson said...

Love and prayers for you, your dad and your family, especially as you get things done together over the next few days — for some joy in being together amidst the hard and painful readjustments... God Bless. +A.

liturgy said...

With my prayers
"Liturgy"
www.liturgy.co.nz

Monk-in-Training said...

Oh Mike, I am so very sorry. It sounds like your father was a real blessing to all who knew him. May I offer this prayer?

Almighty God, our Father in heaven, before Whom live all who die in the Lord: Receive our brother into the courts of Your heavenly dwelling place. Let his heart and soul now ring out in joy to You, O Lord, the living God, and the God of those who live. Receive him into the arms of Your mercy,into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

Anonymous said...

You and your family are in my prayers. I know how hard it is to say goodbye. Blessings to you and your family Mike.

Anonymous said...

My sympathy to you on the loss of your Father, (he sounds awesome btw) and i pray that you are finding continued peace ,