I had the honor of being my dad's sole caregiver for the past 4 1/2 years. My kids, Marty and I were there to love him and support him after his life made an unexpected turn in a direction that none of us expected. I protected him and cared for him as best as I know how. While this journey was a challenge for me and Dad, it is one I will cherish for the rest of my life. He supported me and believed in me every step of my life. He was always there to lift me up and give me a helping hand. He taught me to be strong, to fight for what I believed in, and to go after what fueled my passion. Dad never minced words when it came to sharing his opinion, and because of that I knew where I stood with him. I understood him, I loved him. He was a great dad. Over our lifetime together we got to share some amazing things and he still beat me at cribbage every single time.

In the end, Dad spent his 76th birthday in the hospital. He was sad, scared, and in terrible pain. But, he still wanted to have a piece of cherry pie for his birthday. That pie was the last thing he ate. I held his hand, straightened his linens, wiped his face, and made sure his last wishes came true. Being a nurse is easy, stepping back and just being the daughter was much harder. I was honored by his nurses who supported us during these final days and grateful they saw my need to fill both roles. My final gift of love and kindness to my dad, I gently washed his body and prepared him for his final rest. Dad is finally free.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
– John 16:33