Showing posts with label Dad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dad. Show all posts

Saturday, August 29, 2009

I Eulogized My Dad 3 Weeks Ago Today




I am glued to the television watching Teddy Kennedy's funeral. My Dad's was also in a Catholic Church: St Dorothy's at 10AM. The Knights of Peter Klaver opened with a decorous ceremony. Fr Bob officiated. I wrote and read Dad's obit and delivered his eulogy.

3 weeks ago today.........................

May Dad Rest In Peace.

see my eulogy remarks here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aJ2ToZn6nY

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Dad's in Hospice Unit

I arrived in Chicago yesterday. My Dad was placed in the hospice unit at Mercy hospital twice this week.

I don’t know how to describe how I feel seeing my Dad in the hospital-- frail, disoriented, and unresponsive. He was happy to see me so he smiled. I brought his favorite, Sees candy, so he perked up but he was mostly fading in and out of consciousness, or he was irritable.

The hospice unit is warm. Although, I was alone with Dad, it was good to have some alone time with him.

When the priest came in to pray, that’s when I lost it.

My Dad is completely unrecognizable.

I fed him pureed food. He ate ever so slowly with his eyes closed the entire time.
The hospice nurse gave me a book that describes the stages of moving on. I was shocked to realize Dad is exhibiting them all. I am so unfamiliar with death and avoid dealing with it as much as possible.

I will continue later……………………

Time to go back to the hospital.