|
Don't know what's worse - the sudden, unexpected loss or the slow but predictable decline, like your dad.
I lost my mom to an aneurism when I was 21. No warning and she was gone. She was so central to the family... without her, the family's cohesiveness was never to be the same.
My dad followed a path very similar to yours. When he reached a certain point in his decline, my step-mom needed help. The family decided we'd take turns traveling to FL to help out. My nephew and I drew the first shift. We called mid point in our trip down only to find out that my dad was slipping in and out of consciousness. By the time we arrived he had declined further. I'm fairly sure he knew we were there, but not 100% certain. He passed early the next morning.
Don't know that if given the choice I would have chosen to see him in that condition and been holding his hand when he died. There was some reaction from him in hearing my voice and I hope that he knew I was there to be with him in the end. Fifteen years later and it's still tough to think about.
__________________
Lee
|