Thursday, October 23, 2008

Forever the Big Guy

When Dyda came home from the nursing home, he immediately went under the care of Hospice. I cannot say enough about these people. Such caring..such attentiveness..such compassion.

It appears that despite our best efforts, Dyda, The Big Guy, will be taking his final journey home. They estimate two to three days. However, they don't know the Big Guy. Even though he no longer takes food or hydration, he still has the will to go on.

Gordon, (Fr. Deacon Daniel) brought the Blessed Sacrament by last week and I have kept it ( I hesitate to call the Blessed Sacrament " it "... It is HIM!!) so I kept HIM close by my Dad as he continues to labor for each breath.

I was at Mass the other day and glanced at the statue of Our Lady of the Eucharist which is close to the altar at St. Anthony's Church. Mary is holding the Infant Jesus who has a chalice and host. She looks lovingly at HIM. And so I asked Mary to give me the strength she had at Calvary, as she watched her Son labor for His last breath. I know she will.

So many thoughts run through my mind. They are happy thoughts of family..of vacations..of playing sports, in which he whipped my A$% in everything, even when he was in his mid- sixties.

As I sit here and write this, I hear the sound of the oxygen machine and my Dad's labored breaths...one after another. Such a man of strength, a man whom I love dearly and who will forever be,... "The Big Guy."

2 comments:

Laura said...

You have so much going on in your family these days.
I pray for your faith to grow even stronger.
Peace be with you.
God bless Dyda.

Vicki G. said...

Hugs and prayers from all of us to all of you.