A Strong Will

We got to Hubbard Hospice House on Tuesday evening (it's now Friday morning around 4:45 AM). What a serene place! Dad was basically in a coma till Wednesday. He's been opening his eyes, looking at us and kind of holding our hand, sometimes pretty strongly, on and off since then. Mom had dialysis Tues. and Wed., but made it up here on Thursday. It's very hard on her, that almost seems like an understatement . . . I don't know what other words to use. But she's a trooper. She goes through periods of inconsolable crying and then does OK for a while. Pam was here from Thursday of last week and left on Wednesday morning. Donny got here Tuesday, so now he, Chuck and I are staying with Dad all we can. We all went home yesterday around 5 because the roads were getting bad. I ate dinner, took a shower, and came back over about 8 PM. I intended to spend the night at home, but my heart was here with Dad so I figured I might as well get the rest of myself over here too. I slept several hours in the room, and Donny got here about 3:30 AM. This place is wonderful. Everyone here is going through the same thing. The nurses are so understanding and helpful. They know when to stay back and when to step in. They're keeping Dad comfortable, and that's what we want, of course. But Dad is dying the way that he lived - with a strong will. Donny says that it's his competitive nature. He always wanted to win at everything he did. Those of you that played cards, golf or Monopoly or shot pool with him can attest to that!

This time together with family has given us a chance to reminisce about our life with him. What a great guy! We've had such an honor to have him as our Dad. Any success that any one of the five of us have achieved can be credited in a large part to his impact on our lives. He didn't break any records, publish any books, make millions of dollars, or any of that kind of material stuff. But he sure made a difference in the lives of a handful of people in a little corner of West Virginia, and when he goes he will leave behind a legacy of love that will never be forgotten.

I'll try to write more later.

Love to all,
Peggy