Father Nick

I was off yesterday, so I went to my parent's house. I took strawberries and fruit dip over. My dad is craving fruit lately, and as long as he is eating, we are happy. He is still losing weight so anything he will eat is fine.

He was sitting in the chair when I got there with his feet up and was very tired. We did his Living Will, Advanced Directives, and Power of Attorney. It was mentally exhausting for myself, my mother, and my dad. He has always had very neat penmanship, but it took him forever to sign his name and initial. I am just glad that we were able to discuss everything while he was still able to do so. My mom (and myself) had trouble with his wishes, but we want to do what he wants. He decided against any type of further care...no CPR, no IVs, no antibiotics, no tube feeds, no nothing. He knows now the battle is over, and we are hoping for the easiest transition possible from life to death.

Father Nick, their priest, came over while I was there. As soon as he entered the house, I broke down into sobs. It was the first time I broke down in front of my parents. My mom and I went outside so my father could talk to Father Nick alone. We held each other and cried and cried. My mom kept saying, "he was a good man, he was a good man...he took care of his family and he cared about all of us....he would do anything for us....he was a good man....".

Father Nick came and got us and said my dad wanted us all inside. He received Anointing of the Sick and then we all held hands and prayed and received communion. I was so happy that Father Nick could come over for us, but it was so difficult, I'm guessing because of the symbolism it carried for me.