I spoke to one of Dad’s lifelong friends from California. They expressed sorrow because they did not get to say goodbye in person to Dad. My dear friend from Hawaii said the same thing. I felt very sad myself. We honestly thought Dad would rally. He had done this before where he had been ill and then soldiered back. I am sad for those of you who didn’t get to say goodbye in person or on the phone. Dad was ready to go home. He had made up his mind. The hospice nurse had told us the week before he died, he would live three months or more. Each time she saw Dad she was surprised. The time kept whittling down from three months to one month, one week, till one day. Dad was bent on heaven. He knew where he was going, and he was ready. In many ways, I was not. I didn’t really want to admit that my Dad was dying. I’m not sure how my admission of this would have changed the summer. I don’t know if we could have handled a constant stream of friends and loved ones sobbing with him and saying goodbye. We had a few like that this summer, and it was very hard. Dad told me continuously – depression is regret over the past. Anxiety is fear of the future. God is the God of the present. Thank you to all those who loved Dad and expressed sorrow you didn’t get to say goodbye. Love is eternal, and that sad goodbye will be a huge hello sooner than we all imagine.

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” – Revelation 21:4

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