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Friday, February 13, 2009

Passages

Chuck's Dad passed away late this morning, just before noon, Washington time. Milton was 94. His passing was peaceful and there was a wonderful, unusual twist just before the end.

We had just spoken with Chuck’s sister Carol last night. She had let us know that she felt it would be a matter of days; no more than a few weeks. Early this morning N. who along with his wife B. take care of Dad in the Adult Family Home they run, had checked on Dad and found he was sleeping and breathing deeply. A little while later N. went in to check on Dad again and he had passed. N. called Chuck's sister Carol and she left immediately to go over there. Along the way, she called Chuck to tell us that Dad had died.

After that call from Carol this morning, we called my Mom to tell her Chuck’s Dad had passed. Unbeknownst to us, while we were on the phone with Mom, Carol had tried to reach us. A few minutes after we hung up from Mom, Carol called again. Dad was still alive, still breathing. Carol was in Dad's room with him.  She took the phone and held it up to Dad's ear so that Chuck could talk to his Dad one last time. It was an amazing gift; a little miracle.

Carol then called her husband Mark.  He picked up their son Andrew at school and they went over to be with Carol and Dad. The hospice nurse also arrived. Carol sat holding Dad's hand.  N., B., Mark, Andrew and the hospice nurse were all reminiscing about Dad as well as Mom. They were looking at the photos on the walls and on the dresser of Mom and Dad along with many other family pictures. Then Dad took his last breath.

Because Carol’s daughter Emily is studying abroad in Italy until the middle of March, we will likely wait until then to have a service out in Seattle.

14 comments:

barbie2be said...

i'm so sorry, chuck and lee. my thoughts are with you and your family.

Anonymous said...

Our deepest condolences are with you, Chuck and Lee.
May your Dad rest in peace.

George & Cynthia Geder

Peace,
"Guide by the Ancestors"

Ms Brown Mouse said...

I'm so sorry Lee, condolences from me & Mr Brown to you and Chuck.
xxx

Pink Granite said...

Dear Barbie2Be, George, Cynthia, Morgan & Mr. Brown,

Thank you so much for you kind words of sympathy and support. It means so much to us both, to have you holding us in your thoughts.

Dad lived a long, productive and very full life. Family was his number one priority - his parents, his siblings, his wife, his children and grandchildren.

We're holding on to all the good memories as we continue planning for his memorial service.

Many thanks,
Lee & Chuck

Papamoka said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you both. That was indeed a last minute gift to Chuck to be able to speak to his dad one last time.

God bless him.

Roo said...

Hey hey - just a note to add to everyone else's good wishes and sympathy for you both.

Love and thoughts

Andrew & Peter xx

Jeff Barnard said...

My deepest sympathies to you both.

- Jeff

Pink Granite said...

Dear Papamoka, Roo & Jeff,

Thank you gentlemen for your expressions of sympathy and support.

When Dad was born in 1914, one could not have imagined the technology we have today. Yet this virtual community of blog friends has come to mean so much to us both. And it was a cell phone held to Dad's ear that afforded Chuck that last call.

We appreciate you holding us in your thoughts.
Many thanks,
Lee & Chuck

Pinky's Pages said...

I'm so sorry to hear that Chuck's dad passed away (I've been out of the virtual world this week)... Our deepest sympathy and thinking of you at this time of loss... Hugs, xx

Pink Granite said...

Dear Lailaa,
Thank you very much for your kindness and sympathy.

Both Chuck and I are grateful for all the time we spent with Dad this past year and especially that final phone call.

Knowing folks like you from all the over the globe are sending good thoughts our way means so much to us.
Many thanks,
Lee & Chuck

Sue said...

Oh, Lee!!! I'm so sorry that I haven't been past your blog in a few days and that I haven't had a chance to pass on my condolences!! 94 is no small feat and, from the stories you've shared with your readers, Chuck's dad had a great life, shared with a wonderful family. He was truly blessed to have had a family who loved him so much right until the very end and I'm sure he died a very happy man, proud of all that he'd achieved in his time on this earth.

While these things are inevitable, there's never a good time for them to happen and my thoughts are with you and, especially, Chuck during this difficult time.

Sending much love to you both,
Sue x

Pink Granite said...

Dear Sue,
Thank you for your thoughtful and generous condolences, which I know come from a place of deep experience.

We are focusing on Dad's longevity, his long and happy marriage and all the joy he experienced in his life. It helps to balance out the sadness.

Thank you for holding us in your thoughts.
Many thanks,
Lee & Chuck

Wendy said...

I am so sorry for your and Chucks loss Lee. I have been out of touch for a good few days and was just catching up so my apologies for this being belated.
he sounded like a wonderful man who had a full life and I am so glad that Chuck got a last oppotunity to speak to his dad. A true miracle
xxx
wendy

Pink Granite said...

Dear Wendy -
Thank you very much for your sympathy and support.

That final phone call means even more to Chuck with each passing day. It does continue to feel like a little miracle.
Many thanks,
Lee & Chuck