January 2017 A First and a Last

January 1, 2017 began with Dad getting really sick and going to the hospital. By January 3rd Dad was really sick and I flew out to Utah to be with my family. All 7 of us kids were able to be together for a day at least and I'm certain the hospital was overwhelmed by us all. Dad was determined to get better and so he did.

It was a very humbling experience for me. It was one of the hardest things I've done yet in my life, but also one of the experiences I am most grateful for. Janice picked me up in Las Vegas the night of the 3rd and I made it to the hospital that night. I stayed up with Dad most of the night taking care of his needs and making sure he wasn't in too much pain.

In the middle of the night Mom was finally able to sleep and Dad was crying out in his sleep a little and so I asked if he was ok. He said he was just hurting and I asked if he wanted some pain medicine and he said no. About 30 minutes later he started muttering again in his sleep so I asked him again if he was alright and if he wanted some pain medicine and he said he was ok he was just talking to them and pointed up above his bed.

I have often heard that sometimes when people are close to death that "the veil is thin" and angels or family members that have passed can be near them and I just had a feeling that this was one of those moments. There was even an empty chair next to Dad's bed that I'm certain had someone sitting in it through the night keeping watch over him.

A little while later I was able to go get him some pain medicine and he felt better. A few days before Dad passed I told him this story and he couldn't remember any of it. But, it made him happy that I thought he had family at his side helping him through a hard time.

On Thursday January 5th I needed to get home to the kids and Derek needed to start working nights, and so off to the airport. I took this photo knowing it would be my first photo of the new year, but the last photo of me and my Dad together. I knew I wouldn't get another chance to say good bye. But, I did get a chance. I walked out of his hospital room and my brother Joshua held me while I cried knowing that I would never get to see my Dad on this earth again.

I think that is how a lot of things in life work though. It may be the "last" of something, but there will always be so many "firsts" yet to come. I'm grateful for my last, first picture.