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I must admit I have dreaded putting this blog together - with all that has happened in our lives lately... but here it is:

This past Thursday evening David planned to visit Dad at the hospital. I expressed to David that I was keen to go along, too as I hadn't seen him since Sunday... though I wasn't sure how the kids would go with another late night. David decided we should just pack all the kids in and take them along. We gobbled down dinner and headed to the hospital. Mum had already spent the previous night with Dad in the hospital. She was outside the hospital having some time to think and pray while the nurses turned Dad (to make him comfortable). She was surprised to see us all there. She took us up to Dad. We sat with Dad, prayed, David read some Scripture, and we took turns to hold his hand. We occasionally saw Ian try to look around from a small crack in his otherwise shut eye lids. I think he wanted to look around but had no strength to open his eyes. His skin really made him look so very old. A very caring nun came in to talk to us and David had a great opportunity to talk to her about her faith (and was shocked to hear her openly admitted that she was quite a devil sometimes and later that she didn't believe all that the Bible said).

I will never forget just how tenderly Emilia looked after Ian. She felt his ears were a bit cold and would rub them until they were warm. She put some vaseline on his lips as they were becoming cracked. She held him and stroked his hair. She loved her beloved until the end - and most of all I was so touched that she never spoke of how unfair God was to take her beloved home - yes, she spoke of missing him, of things she would have to get used to doing on her own. She is still to face the sting of his death but she knew that the Lord would just have her to show tender love to him 'til' death doeth part....

Death did part Dad from Mum on Friday at approx. 4am. Mum had woken at about 3am as she couldn't sleep. She later went back to sleep and the nurse woke her to tell her that Ian had died.

And now? She is flat out - much has happened over the weekend to prepare for the funeral. An incredible amount of time, effort and even money goes into funerals... but apart from all the formalities, the business and sadness.... we believe that Ian has at last gone to be with his Maker - to worship Him in all His glory. Though we miss him sorely, we know that the sorrow is for us...
We couldn't wish him back for all the awesomeness of what he is experiencing with His Lord.