This is the last good picture that I have of my Dad. Shortly after, he was put on oxygen full time. This is Christmas Day 2011 at my house in Northampton. Our last Christmas with my Dad. It was a crazy but good day watching the grandkids and everyone opening up their Christmas gifts. Good food and family.....you can't ask for anything more!
Dad had a few final wishes in the days before he passed away. He wanted to see his sister, Anna Mack, so I arranged to pick her up and take her down to St. Lukes Hospice House. He was so happy to see her! Although he was having difficulty speaking, we all could understand him. It was difficult for my Aunt Anna to see him like that but it was his desire to go to the hospice house. He could no longer do any of the things that he loved, going fishing, being outside in the summer mowing the grass, tinkering around with stuff, traveling, etc.
Another wish he had was to see his unborn great grandson. Me and my daughter Stacy, went down to visit him one night and for some unknown reason, he was calling the baby "Mitch". Cole was born on August 10th, 2012 and in my fathers honor, she changed his middle name to be Mitchell. And even though he is still very young, Cole reminds me alot of my father, he always has a smile on his face and is pretty laid back, like my dad was.
He also wanted to see the cat, Kelly, but it would have scared her too much to be transported in the car so mom brought a picture of her to dad. He smiled and touched the picture and said "Kelly". He really loved that cat! He was the one that picked her out at the Adoption Day at Phillips Feed Store,
There's a dull ache within my heart
Things will never again be the same
Life is so difficult now
Wish you could come back and make it go away.
I think about you quite alot
Each and every day
Wondering if you're watching from above
And what words of wisdom you would have to say.
I miss you Dad, more than I can say
Our family is forever torn apart
But it was time for you to go home
To light the way for us to follow someday.
