As many of you know he suffered a heart attack almost exactly 2 1/2 years ago and was not expected to live through that first night. He not only recovered, but graduated from hospice only 2 short months later and flew to his brother-in-laws funeral. The next year he flew to Oklahoma by himself to attend his first grandsons wedding. In the last 2 1/2 years he welcomed grandchildren #'s 20 (our Anna), #21 (our AJ) and #22. He welcomed his first great grandson and knew that two more were on the way. He gained three granddaughters-in-law.
I am so glad that my children got to meet their grandpa and get to know him. He was Grandpa Bill to them and they loved him. In the last few weeks they made many a morning visit with me to his room and got their high fives (which he always made a big deal about) He loved them both dearly and was so patient in letting Annalynn come around to loving him. After he died they were down in the car with my nephew and Anna cried because she wanted to say goodbye to Grandpa. We talked to the hospice nurse and she gave us a few pointers and said it was totally up to us. Troy went and got them. She came in the room and said matter of factly "Bye Grandpa" and she was ready to leave again. On the way down the elevator she asked Troy again if Grandpa was in heaven now - Troy told her that he was and she asked, "Is Jesus holding him" Her daddy assured her He was.
If there is anyone reading this that lives in town and knew dad, the Memorial Service will be August 3rd. We are waiting until then as most of our out of town family were already planning on being here then on vacation. 
Mom and Dad in their first prayer card picture before spending 25 years in the Congo as missionaries
Grandpa and AJ
This picture was taken in March of this year when all of my siblings were in town for the 10th anniversary of my mom's death.
Mom and Dad in their first prayer card picture before spending 25 years in the Congo as missionaries
Grandpa and AJ
This picture was taken in March of this year when all of my siblings were in town for the 10th anniversary of my mom's death. 
4 comments:
Ruth - our prayers and sympathies on the loss to your family - we will keep all of you guys in our prayers. But like you - we know that he is safely home with our father. And Blessings on you guys for letting the kids say goodbye - absolutely the right thing to do! This is not death - just a change of life!
Hugs - aus and co.
Your post had me holding back the tears...I'm so thankful that God allowed your dad to live such a full life in these last 2 1/2 years. Grateful too that he's indeed in Jesus' arms!
Donna
What a beautiful tribute. I cried when I thought how AWESOME it is for your Dad to be in heaven right now ... I didn't know him, but I know he has one amazing daughter so that alone tells me a lot about him. I also know that he gave a lot of his life for the cause of Christ and he will have many rewards in heaven. What a wonderful life! You have much to celebrate in a life that was so rich ... and yet I know how hard it is to lose a parent. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you learn to go on without your Dad.
Ruth, I am so sorry for your loss but so excited for your Dad. He's in a much better place. Wishing you all comfort in your memories and peace as you g through the grieving process. Hugs to you and yours my friend...
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