Another has gone home.

Keith's dad Gerald has died. Gerald has been passively ill for a few years.  Just a few months ago the decision was made that he move to a nursing home, it was a difficult decision. Gerald physically was declining, mentally declined.  The hopes and desires of course were different, the truth was it was not healthy nor safe for Mary Lou or Gerald, for him to stay home with her.

A week ago Hospice who helps with the care of Gerald, notified Mary Lou that Gerald was actively dying.  This was the beginning, and could take some time.  With my own father it was about a week. The next day the offer and acceptance of him moving to Hospice house- This was a great relief and blessing.  The house, as Keith described it, was beautiful, it was a ,'home', it reminded him of Geralds childhood home, Keith had known from visiting his grandparents.  It is an older home, two story, and filled with antiques, the only part not 'homey' the hospital beds, but the atmosphere made up for this.  

The next day Keith's brother made it in to town, and saw his father, as it was, just a few hours before Gerald went home to our father.  Gerald left this world, peacefully and quietly, and answer to prayers in the quiet of the morning, just he with the Lord.

The out pouring of love that followed was amazing.  The perfect timing for so very many to be at the service amazing. The many people that came to honor Gerald, amazing.

This service for Gerald actually revived him, in all of our hearts and memories.  Gerald had slipped away from us all, the man we had seen for the past few years was not the man Gerald had been.  The man Gerald had become died, but the Gerald we knew and loved was honored at the services was brought back to life in our memories. Our Gerald, 'Big G', Gia, Brother Petty is alive and well forever more.