Tag Archive - dad

House of Mourning

Ecclesiastes 7:2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

I am sure that if you have looked at this blog that you know that my dad is dying. I am also pretty sure that you are about tired of hearing all of this.

It will soon be over and we will move on to other things. But as I thought about where I was sitting yesterday this verse came into my mind.

We all prefer the house of feasting and partying. The wisest man said that the house of mourning was more important.

The reason that it is so important is that we will lay death to heart. This life is coming to an end for all of us. It is obvious when you are sitting in a house listening to the breathing, the beginning of the death rattle, etc but it is just as true for everyone of us.

Most of us live like there is no tomorrow and if there is a tomorrow it will be just like today and fun is all that matters. We live for self and selfish things. Those things may be good things, like family, friends, fun, our future but we seldom consider what we are doing that has eternal value.

As I sit and watch or look at the shell of dad lying there waiting to die it causes me to go deep within myself and consider what my life has counted for and what will be done that is of value.

It will soon be over. The toys, the comforts, the possessions mean nothing now.

He doesn’t even know what is happening. It is all over down here though he still lies there.

I sit here and count my own days. I count my mortality. I think of the fact that I have only a limited number of days to live.

I know that he is my dad but I hope through these days those that are very special friends will take to heart the house of mourning.




Friday evening update

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I want to thank all of you that have written or called. Thank you for praying. Thank you for your visits and your kindness.

Dad is basically unconscious. He arouses to look and has even kissed Mom and a smile every now and then back to sleep. He is now on pain medication to just keep him comfortable until God takes him home.

I put the following out on twitter this afternoon.

Watching someone die makes you think about your life, its value, eternity and what u r doing of eternal value.

I have no idea when this will be over down here for my dad but I am assured of where he will spend eternity. I am also reminded of how important it is for me to take the gospel to the world.

Dad on way home for hospice care

This morning we have been busy getting all the paperwork etc done to get my dad out of the hospital and to the house. He will have comfort care until he goes home to Heaven. I thank you for all that you have done as far as praying, sending emails, etc.

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Joy to Papaw

Physicians Assistant




Just spoke with the Physician’s Assistant

I am at the hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Physician’s Assistant just came out and talked to us. He is the first one of the medical staff that has talked with us.

We gave them Dad’s Living Will. The PA said that Dad had responded to him and was following some commands. We will be seeing Dad in about 5 minutes and I will give further updates in the comment section below here.

The blood clot is approximately 4 inches by 1 inch in his brain.

The PA talked about taking him upstairs to another room and giving him therapy and then later on to a nursing home. As usual the comment was made that we never know what might happen.

We really do not know much more now than we did a few minutes ago.

The PA said that he will get the doctor to talk to us sometime today via the phone or in person.

Earlier updates

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Joy to Papaw




The latest on Dad

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Well Betty and I started to leave to return for Georgia. I called Mom to see what she had to say about Dad and what the doctors had said. So far no one but my mother has spoken to the doctors. Not because we haven’t tried but I am learning what it is like to be part of the family of a patient.

From mother we understand that the doctor wanted to talk to her about a nursing home and therapy. He even asked how many steps it would take to get him into the house which is ridiculous. He doesn’t respond to any thing, can’t talk, can’t eat or drink.

Betty and I are staying longer to find out what is going on. I really have no new information. We have called the doctor’s office. We are asking for an opportunity to talk with the doctor.

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