When Eric saw his grandpa he leaned over him and held his hand and talked to him and my dad did manage to tell him "I love you too' which is what he has been saying a lot to all of us the past few days. He was in very bad shape, struggling to breathe and in pain the morphine they were giving him didn't even touch though. Eric turned around, looked at me and broke down at which made me start crying too. I opened my arms and he was in them just like he was when he was little. My heart was breaking for him and my poor dad. Later that afternoon my father asked the nurses and all of us to stop the treatments. The hospital took him off the drugs (except morphine) and put him in a private regular room where we could all be with him. He also asked that the assisted breathing mask be removed and they just put a regular oxygen mask on him. After they let us in with him there ... he looked more at peace than he had for several weeks. He passed away peacefully with his whole family around him and my mother holding his hand at 5:02am this morning [Dec. 3rd]. We miss him but it was truly for the best. None of us wanted him to suffer anymore like he was either. To the end, my father was a loving special man, taking the burden off of all his family by asking us to let him go home.

Thank you all for your prayers. They are so much appreciated.
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The Marine Corp extended Eric's leave so he could stay for the funeral which was held Wednesday. I extend a big thank you to Eric's command too. When his grandmother heard he could be here she was so happy she actually jumped up and down a little! Dad's funeral on Dec. 6th was special. He was a special, giving man to his family and it was hard to say goodbye to him but we did it together. I am so lucky to have a family as close as mine is. We will all be there for my mother and she knows it so she is doing okay.

During my father's funeral I got up and read a poem I wrote for him and I actually made it through it. I broke down a couple of times and halfway through it I had to turn around and look at my dad to gain a little of the strength he passed onto me back, but I did manage to say what I needed to and it helped us I hope. Now ... in remembrance of my father ... I am sharing my eulogy to him with you. Just like I did at the funeral ... I need to say that my dad was a wonderful father and grandfather ... but mostly he was also our friend. A true friend to the end.

My father, my friend

If you are lucky in your life,
You will meet a simple man,
Who will stand with you at your lowest point
And lend you his helping hand.

A man who loves his family
And shows it in every way
He's there for all the little things
His devotion takes your fears away.

A man who believes in honesty
And places that above most everything
He would not accept anything less
From those that mean the most to him.

A man who is there when you need him
Who stands willingly by your side
Or holds you in his arms of strength
When you must break down and cry.

Who comforts children when they're sad
Sings them a powerful little song
And the sound of his strong voice
Eases their tears before too long.

A man who loves so many things,
His family and all his friends,
Even the dog always by his side
Both are loyal to the end.

I was so blessed in my life
To have known just such a simple man
Who held me tight the day I was born
And said "Welcome home, my newest friend."

Now I know that he is standing,
With another giving, simple man.
Both waiting to one day hold me tight
And say, "Welcome home now, my dear friend."

written by Tami, in honor of my father, who went Home Dec. 3, 2006
Till we meet again, we all love you.

# posted by MarineMom @ 12:54 PM