He finally went Home!

On October 22, 2011, Wilbur Rease made his final trip...Home! On the early morning hours of October 21st, he was trying to get out of bed to use the bedside toilet. Somehow he got his feet tangled and fell...breaking his upper leg. Mom covered him up until the EMS people could get there to access the situation. Of course, he had to be taken to the hospital. Once he arrived at Trident ER, x-rays were done and they found he had a fractured femur. Question was whether to do surgery or not. If they decided not, then he would be bedridden for the rest of his life. However, he might not come out of surgery. But amazingly, the doctor said he came through the surgery with flying colors. As we all went into his room after he came up from recovery, I noticed his coloring. I was not pleased, but figured it was just the lighting in the room. I asked him if he was feeling any pain. He said, "No". Everyone came in and talked with him...then as more people came into the room, the noisier it got, so Dad asked us all to leave. Which was fine. We knew he needed the rest more than anything.

The doctor called me the next morning about 7 a.m. He wanted to know if we were planning to come to the hospital. I told him that we would all be up there later. He said that Dad had had a rough night and they were having trouble stabilizing his blood pressure.

That same morning I had a local TOPS convention and had told 3 other ladies that I would drive. But something was nagging at me, telling me not to go. I talked it over with Gene and he said that I should go...that I'd have fun. So I went---reluctantly. Upon arriving at the convention center, I turned my phone on vibrate and placed it next to my chest...so it wouldn't interrupt anyone, but I would know if someone was calling me. No sooner than the convention was called to order, I got a buzz. So I went outside of the building to answer the call. It was a voice mail...and it was the doctor calling me. He said that the family needed to get to the hospital ASAP. Then I got a 2nd call. This time the doctor said the family needed to come to the nurses' station when we arrived at the hospital. I didn't give it any thought. I just knew that I had to get to the hospital. I told the ladies that I had driven with me...and they decided they would get someone to come pick them up later. So I headed for the hospital. The whole time I was asking Dad to 'hang on'....that I was coming. I got to the hospital and had a bit of a time finding a place to park, but finally got one. Once I got to the floor where he was, I headed straight to his room. His door was closed. I went in...he was laying there with his eyes closed, his mouth open a bit. I took his hand. It was cool but that was nothing unusual. Then I placed my hand on his chest. He wasn't breathing. I laid my head on his chest. No heartbeat. That's when I knew...and suddenly, my heart broke. I began to shed some tears. Then in another instant, I thanked God for making him comfortable. For taking him out of his misery and pain. It wasn't long before two nurses came in. They held my hand while I continued to hold his. They told me that he had no pain that morning and that he told them he was doing fine. His body just couldn't handle the trauma of all that he'd gone through. He had been sick nearly the entire year. In and out of the hospital the last couple of months. He was so tired of hospitals. He was sent to rehab twice. He did what they wanted just so he could go home. Then he got pneumonia and he fought that and won. But the fracture was just more than he could take...and he knew it was going to be a rough road back.

As much as we miss him, we're glad he's no longer suffering. He'd really had a rough year. He'd tell me and mom so many times that he was ready to go to Heaven. He was tired. Each time we'd tell him that God knew when his time was...and that he had to be patient and just enjoy the time he had.

Here it is----2013!  Wow, the last year has flown by (at times).  I feel like I've been in a coma.  Yet, so much had to be taken care of.  Never, in my 63 years of life, have I ever dealt with so much paperwork, and jumped through so many bureaucratic hoops.  It is unreal what the "government" requires people to do...especially when you have lost loved ones.  They act as if it's "just another day", when you're dying inside.  The general act of walking and managing to put one foot in front of another is a miracle.  Why...even breathing has to be automatic, or you'd stop!  But---push was what I did, of course with the persistent urgings of Gene.  If he had not "nagged" at me and pushed me to go take care of papers, I guess I'd still be sitting.  I truly wasn't in the mood, but, with his loving urges, I got them done.  And now, I'm just waiting for the final papers to arrive telling me that the probate files are closed, and thanking me for being so diligent about getting everything done in a mannerly time.  Ahhh!  Now I can sit back and reminisce all I wish...remembering the BEST days of my lovely parents' lives. 
Just recently, my cousins Patty and George brought me some old movies of Uncle Charles'.  They had them put on a DVD.  How wonderful it is to look back and remember all of the sweet faces.  Young and old alike.  When they were filled with youth and vibrance.  Full of life.  Life seemed to be without a care.  Those times were like they would never change.  But change they did!  Thank goodness for technology we are able to look back and relish in the love and livelihood of those early days.  And we can laugh, just as they did in those many footages of film.  Thank you Patty and George for bringing some smiles and joy to my heart. 
I decided just before the end of 2012 that I was ready to let go of the past year and all of the sadness and losses.  Dad, Mom, Connie (a dear friend that I had become so close to), Aunt Jean, and my sister-in-law's mother, Lilian Graham.  Later in the year, Maureen Anspaugh and her sister, Jenny, died.  So many, so close to our hearts, some too young.  But none of us know how long we have here on Earth.  We're born, we learn and live, enjoy life to our fullest capacity, then we pass on.  Seems very short-termed.  What we do with our time is up to us. 
Anyway, I'm moving forward.  Not looking back at the sad times, but looking at the new days.  Enjoying what time we each have.  Making the BEST of each day.
So, here's hoping everyone has a wonderful New Year.  That only positive things will happen for you and yours.  Should sadness, or unfortunate times befall you, that you will not be swallowed by doom and gloom, or despair.  Instead, pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and start all over again. 
Until next time....have a great life.  Love to all.  Enjoy the backyards, front yards, and all around.