That's my father-in-law Jim with our youngest (and his youngest grandchild) just a few weeks ago, Easter Sunday. This evening he's hours from death in Delaware hospital. My wife is there with her mom and sisters and brother waiting for the end to come. I'm 3 hours away in Virginia with his last 3 grandchildren; thankful to God that they were given some time to spend with their Grandfather before he left this earth.
Update: Jim passed away several hours after this was posted.
PS - Just a quick note of thanks to those who've left kind thoughts and prayers; it's sincerely appreciated. -K
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Comments (41)
My sincerest sympathies, Ke... (Below threshold)1. Posted by -S- | April 28, 2005 9:55 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
My sincerest sympathies, Kevin. Death comes to us all and I pray for eternal life for your dear father-in-law, and your family.
1. Posted by -S- | April 28, 2005 9:55 PM |
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Posted on April 28, 2005 21:55
2. Posted by Allah | April 28, 2005 10:01 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
My condolences to you and Mrs. A, Kevin.
2. Posted by Allah | April 28, 2005 10:01 PM |
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Posted on April 28, 2005 22:01
3. Posted by Randy | April 28, 2005 10:10 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
My sympathies to you and your family. Bless you.
3. Posted by Randy | April 28, 2005 10:10 PM |
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Posted on April 28, 2005 22:10
4. Posted by fatman | April 28, 2005 10:26 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
My sincerest condolences, Kevin.
4. Posted by fatman | April 28, 2005 10:26 PM |
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Posted on April 28, 2005 22:26
5. Posted by Laurence Simon | April 28, 2005 10:29 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I don't often pray. And when I do, I often pray for very bad things to happen to very bad people.
Tonight, I pray your grandfather peace.
5. Posted by Laurence Simon | April 28, 2005 10:29 PM |
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Posted on April 28, 2005 22:29
6. Posted by david | April 28, 2005 10:33 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Be strong when required, and remember only the happiness, loce, and good times.
My condolences.
6. Posted by david | April 28, 2005 10:33 PM |
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Posted on April 28, 2005 22:33
7. Posted by caltechgirl | April 28, 2005 10:44 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
My condolences to your family. I wish you strength in this difficult time. Hugs, too.
7. Posted by caltechgirl | April 28, 2005 10:44 PM |
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Posted on April 28, 2005 22:44
8. Posted by Tom | April 28, 2005 10:46 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
We went through the same experience with my Grandmother. We were all able to get together two weeks before she died for her 90th Birthday. It was a celebration of her life.
Kevin, My prayers are with you and your family.
8. Posted by Tom | April 28, 2005 10:46 PM |
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Posted on April 28, 2005 22:46
9. Posted by Rob | April 28, 2005 10:51 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
My thoughts are with you and your family during what must be a very difficult time for you all.
9. Posted by Rob | April 28, 2005 10:51 PM |
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Posted on April 28, 2005 22:51
10. Posted by Old Coot | April 28, 2005 10:58 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"The Circle of Life"...well said. Our thoughts are with you.
10. Posted by Old Coot | April 28, 2005 10:58 PM |
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Posted on April 28, 2005 22:58
11. Posted by Dana | April 28, 2005 11:14 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
My family's thoughts and prayers are with your entire family. May you all be filled with peace as your father-in-law prepares to enter his Father's loving arms.
11. Posted by Dana | April 28, 2005 11:14 PM |
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Posted on April 28, 2005 23:14
12. Posted by wavemaker | April 28, 2005 11:17 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
God bless Kevin, prayers to you all.
(Handsome little dude, too.)
12. Posted by wavemaker | April 28, 2005 11:17 PM |
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Posted on April 28, 2005 23:17
13. Posted by BorgQueen | April 28, 2005 11:24 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Many prayers for comfort and peace to you and your family...concentrate on the good memories and being reunited one day.
13. Posted by BorgQueen | April 28, 2005 11:24 PM |
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Posted on April 28, 2005 23:24
14. Posted by Omni | April 28, 2005 11:36 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I lost 2 of my loved ones of the older generation within 9 months of each other, so I know how painful it is to lose them; my heart goes out to you and your family.
14. Posted by Omni | April 28, 2005 11:36 PM |
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Posted on April 28, 2005 23:36
15. Posted by Jihad Jimmy, Chief Defender of the Faith | April 29, 2005 12:01 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
We send our prayers. God Bless.
15. Posted by Jihad Jimmy, Chief Defender of the Faith | April 29, 2005 12:01 AM |
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Posted on April 29, 2005 00:01
16. Posted by McGehee | April 29, 2005 12:11 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Prayers and condolences, Kevin.
16. Posted by McGehee | April 29, 2005 12:11 AM |
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Posted on April 29, 2005 00:11
17. Posted by CollegePundit | April 29, 2005 12:14 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
My prayers are with you tonight, Kevin. God Bless.
17. Posted by CollegePundit | April 29, 2005 12:14 AM |
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Posted on April 29, 2005 00:14
18. Posted by Hodink | April 29, 2005 12:24 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
When I die, give what is left of me to children. If you need to cry, cry for your brothers walking beside you. Put your arms around anyone and give them what you need to give to me. I want to leave you with something, something better than words or sounds. Look for me in the people I have known and loved. And if you cannot live without me, then let me live on in your eyes, your mind and your acts of kindness. Love does not die, people do. So when all that is left of me is love ... give me away.
Chicken Soup For The Soul
18. Posted by Hodink | April 29, 2005 12:24 AM |
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Posted on April 29, 2005 00:24
19. Posted by marc | April 29, 2005 12:35 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Best wishes, Kevin. I lost my father last September, so I know what you're going through. You're in my prayers.
19. Posted by marc | April 29, 2005 12:35 AM |
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Posted on April 29, 2005 00:35
20. Posted by Red | April 29, 2005 12:38 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
My condolences and prayers are with you. God Bless.
20. Posted by Red | April 29, 2005 12:38 AM |
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Posted on April 29, 2005 00:38
21. Posted by CindyC | April 29, 2005 12:42 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Thoughts and prayers to you and yours.
PS - Your son is adorable.
21. Posted by CindyC | April 29, 2005 12:42 AM |
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Posted on April 29, 2005 00:42
22. Posted by Happy Bushra | April 29, 2005 1:06 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Kevin,
I have enjoyed your blog but never left you a comment. I think this is a good time to do so. My prayers are with your wife and her family and you. Keep the faith and remember his legacy through your beautiful kids. I hope God sends his comforting spirit to You and your family...
22. Posted by Happy Bushra | April 29, 2005 1:06 AM |
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Posted on April 29, 2005 01:06
23. Posted by jmaster | April 29, 2005 1:15 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I just lifted my grandfather’s casket into the ground this morning. And I did the same for my other grandfather just 28 days ago. So this is fresh in my mind. They both had a major impact on my life.
It looks like I won’t be able to participate directly in the circle, as you describe it. It would take some external intervention to help my wife and I reproduce, and she’s completely against that. So my contribution will be made through my influence on my nieces and nephews.
You have my condolences, and my congratulations.
23. Posted by jmaster | April 29, 2005 1:15 AM |
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Posted on April 29, 2005 01:15
24. Posted by thfirstbrokenangel | April 29, 2005 2:31 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I'm really sorry, Kevin.
Cindy
24. Posted by thfirstbrokenangel | April 29, 2005 2:31 AM |
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Posted on April 29, 2005 02:31
25. Posted by Cybrludite | April 29, 2005 4:37 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
My condolances, sir.
25. Posted by Cybrludite | April 29, 2005 4:37 AM |
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Posted on April 29, 2005 04:37
26. Posted by WunderKraut | April 29, 2005 7:46 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Sorry to hear that. It is never an easy thing to go through. My parents are just now reaching that age where the thought of them having an illness or worse is more prevalent in my mind.
That is why the three WunderKids spend so much time with them and why I gave up a good career and moved back to my hometown. I wanted my kids to know my family and my wife’s family.
Again, sorry and you have my condolences.
26. Posted by WunderKraut | April 29, 2005 7:46 AM |
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Posted on April 29, 2005 07:46
27. Posted by Debra | April 29, 2005 7:50 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I am so sorry that you and your family are facing this Kevin. It is a hard thing to go through. Even harder when you are far away.
My grandmother turned 94 in January and she is not going to be with us much longer. It pulls at hearstrings so badly laeving you feeling so lost.
My thoughts are with you and your family.
Keep the memories alive for your children.
27. Posted by Debra | April 29, 2005 7:50 AM |
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Posted on April 29, 2005 07:50
28. Posted by BoDiddly | April 29, 2005 8:29 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Life is quite frail and Memories fade, but Love endures.
I lost all four of my grandparents and one uncle in a 13 month span when I was 6-7 years old. Youngsters have, I think, a better understanding of what death means than many adults, and I'm very thankful that the grandchildren in your family got that time to spend with him. My heart goes out to you and your family, Kevin, and I will fervently pray for peace and comfort for all of you.
28. Posted by BoDiddly | April 29, 2005 8:29 AM |
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Posted on April 29, 2005 08:29
29. Posted by Retread | April 29, 2005 8:57 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
My sympathy to you and your wife. It's a difficult thing to face the death of a parent, but having that last chance to say goody-bye helped me alot. Hope it helps your wife, too.
29. Posted by Retread | April 29, 2005 8:57 AM |
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Posted on April 29, 2005 08:57
30. Posted by Maggie | April 29, 2005 9:08 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there
I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints on snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle Autumn rain
When you waken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight
I am the soft stars that shine at night
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there
I did not die
Author Unknown
30. Posted by Maggie | April 29, 2005 9:08 AM |
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Posted on April 29, 2005 09:08
31. Posted by Howie | April 29, 2005 9:57 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
My condolences to you and yours.
A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
31. Posted by Howie | April 29, 2005 9:57 AM |
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Posted on April 29, 2005 09:57
32. Posted by tee bee | April 29, 2005 10:31 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Kevin, your family is in our prayers.
32. Posted by tee bee | April 29, 2005 10:31 AM |
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Posted on April 29, 2005 10:31
33. Posted by Jim Price | April 29, 2005 11:11 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Kevin, thank you for sharing this difficult time with all of us who have gotten to know you through this publication.
I hope and pray that God gives your family peace during your time of loss.
Sincerely,
Jim at Alternaview
33. Posted by Jim Price | April 29, 2005 11:11 AM |
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Posted on April 29, 2005 11:11
34. Posted by Peter | April 29, 2005 11:34 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Condolences, best wishers and prayers from my family to yours.
34. Posted by Peter | April 29, 2005 11:34 AM |
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Posted on April 29, 2005 11:34
35. Posted by Boyd | April 29, 2005 12:31 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Having lost my father last year, I'm familiar with what you and your family are going through, especially your wife.
You all have my condolences and prayers.
35. Posted by Boyd | April 29, 2005 12:31 PM |
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Posted on April 29, 2005 12:31
36. Posted by Just Me | April 29, 2005 12:50 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Kevin my sympathies regarding your loss.
You will treasure each and every one of those pictures.
36. Posted by Just Me | April 29, 2005 12:50 PM |
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Posted on April 29, 2005 12:50
37. Posted by Janette | April 29, 2005 3:02 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
My sympathies and prayers for you and your family.
37. Posted by Janette | April 29, 2005 3:02 PM |
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Posted on April 29, 2005 15:02
38. Posted by Rightwingsparkle | April 29, 2005 6:37 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Is that the cutest little guy or WHAT????
One is always lucky to have had someone they love long enough to see them into old age. I didn't have that with my father. You have been blessed.
38. Posted by Rightwingsparkle | April 29, 2005 6:37 PM |
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Posted on April 29, 2005 18:37
39. Posted by Mark Coffey | April 29, 2005 10:49 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Sincerest sympathy and a prayer for good memories to wash away the loss...
39. Posted by Mark Coffey | April 29, 2005 10:49 PM |
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Posted on April 29, 2005 22:49
40. Posted by thfirstbrokenangel | April 30, 2005 1:37 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)