mommydama

We have spent the last four days here in Kansas, saying goodbye to Brad's grandfather, Chet Joslin. He was 87 years old. He was put into hospice care last Thursday and passed away this evening, looking his wife of 64 years in the eyes and holding her hand. We, all four of his children, their spouses, all his grandchildren except one, all of his great-grandchildren, as well as many other friends and relatives, had time to come and speak to him, hug him, kiss him. It was an amazing thing...all that love. Grandpa Chet was a huge part of our lives, my children had a beautiful relationship with him and are really grieving now. But they understand it and watched his decline over the last four days. On Thursday when we arrived he took each of their hands and brought them to his lips for a kiss and winked at them and at me. He spoke to us, called my girls "precious" and "treasure". He nodded and heard us and smiled whenever any of the great-grandchildren came in the room. Yesterday he was no longer speaking or responding much to anyone. The girls and I left the hospice center tonight about 20 minutes before he passed away this evening, so they saw the process almost to the end. It was hard, but I think it was a good experience for them. For all of us.

Grant him, O Lord, blessed repose and eternal memory.