My Dad died in my arms yeaterday

[GentleOtter]

I have been sitting at my Dad'd bedside at the hospital for a wee while and yesterday afternoon, while cradled in my arms, he slipped away.

During the time we had left, I told him how loved he was, what a wonderful Grandfather to his grandchildren who adored him and read him lovely words that my Mother had written to him in a letter I found that she had written to him years before.

Mum died 20 years ago and I asked her help to take Dad to the Light and that I was ready to let him go to her care and love.
Just seconds before Dad took his last breath, the most beautiful smile shone across his face - almost as if he was seeing someone he had not seen for a long time - and he passed away.

I feel as if I was deeply honoured to have shared in such a profoundly spiritual experience. I feel happy to have held Dad's hand as he was taken by the other hand to a far more beautiful and peaceful place.

The love does not stop.

God bless you my Dad. x

Nothing else to say that hasn't been said gentleotter but I couldn't read and not post. Your words moved me greatly, I am so glad you could give your mum and dad what they needed as they passed away.

((((((Gentleotter)))))
What an intensely beautiful post that was.
I understand where you are coming from exactly and hope that your family don't sour what was a very intimate and spiritual time between you and your father.
My dad died ten years ago this December, and, although my experience was more like that which you had when when your mother died - he slipped away when I briefly left the room - I recognise the sense of serenity you felt when he passed on.
My relationship with my father was a difficult one and he was an incredibly insecure and fearful man - his biggest fear being death. Yet, somehow, in his last few days, as he accepted his fate, I saw him transformed to a man more at peace in his final hours than I ever remember him being when in full health. He was on morphine for his final 24 hours, but, just before he succumbed to the drug, he, very calmly, announced that 'they' had told him it was 'time to go' and he was ready. This from a man who was highly cynical about life after death etc.
Once the morphine kicked in, my mum and I sat up all of his final night listening to him 'hallucinate'. It was, dare I say, fascinating as his ramblings began to regress further and further back into his life as if his 'tape' was on rewind. Mum and I even found ourselves giggling on several occasions when we recognised funny incidents he was reliving. He finally slipped into incoherence after he had regressed into making sucking sounds like a baby on the breast.
The following morning, we all sat around, held his hand and told him how much we loved him and would miss him.
He chose the moment to leave when we had all left the room, just for a moment - and I believe for the same reasons GentleOtter does about her mum's passing.

It's going to be a rollercoaster, sweetheart, over the next days, months, years, but, like you, I beleive that you are truly honoured and priveleged to share this sad yet beautiful moment.
My fondest thoughts to you and your family.

Your words will bring lots of comfort to many on this site who read them Otter.

It must be so hard because although you know that your parents are in a beautiful place, you miss them dreadfully and wish for their wisdom and counsel at a time such as this.

Feel pity for your brother who has not experienced the wonderful things you have, who is unable to open his heart to accept peoples kindness, gentleness and support. Your parents must be very proud of you - your warmth radiates through these posts.

I'm thinking of you, wishing you strength. x

Yesterday, 20 years to the day since losing Mum, we buried Dad beside her.

It was a traditional funeral in the tiny ancient church that my family have been attending for generations and many of the villagers who looked after me when I was little were there to offer support.

I truly felt as if my heart was going to break when the piper played "The Flowers of the Forest" as we lowered Dad to his final resting place....

My wish for both my parents is one of happiness and peace; that they have transcended the everyday things we have to go through and all the pain; their souls are free to fly.

I want to thank all of you very much for your words of comfort and encouragement which really have helped me get through a difficult time.

With love
GentleOtter x