Dad's Passing and Services for Him.

Hey all,

As many of you know, on Sunday night, at about 9:00 or so, my dad passed away.

After hearing testimonies from people whose loved ones struggled through unbearable pain and suffering, my mom, sister, husband, and I just wished and prayed for a peaceful passing.  With my father having passed into a coma on late Saturday morning, we wondered if a peaceful passing was actually what we were going to get.

On Sunday night, after over 24 hours of Dad sleeping in his bed, we got what we had prayed for.  His passing was so calm that it took me several minutes to realized what had happened. 

Dad took several big breaths right before he passed, as if he was getting ready to go on stage of a big show  or to step up to plate on the last out of the 9th inning.  After his last breath went in and out of his body, his soul went into God's arms.  He's now in Heaven, in a place where he will have a new body, a new life, a new home, and a new wonder and amazement of God himself.  For that we can all be eternally thankful! 
 
As these things go, and as my family knows all too well, any joy can and will be met with deep sadness.  My dad was a fisherman, an army veteran, an advocate for our local public school, a vocal proponent of the benefits of apple cider vinegar, a loving husband, a survivor.  I love my dad.


For those of you in the area, and those who simply want to know what's going on regarding my father's visitation and funeral, please check out the Caring Bridge site for details. 

Thank you to EVERYONE who has prayed with us, spent time with us, and kept up with this whole journey.  We couldn't have done it with out you, and we thank God that He put you all in our lives.



2nd Corinthians
 ³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. ⁵ For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.