A Charmed Life

I only met my father-in-law three years ago and it was pretty scary at the time. It didn't take too long to grow to love him though. What might appear to be a hardness or resistance to change is simply masking a kind heart and soul that has seen so much that he has to keep his guard up. Or at least maybe he felt that he had to. My wife will tell you that he wasn't always the lovable quick witted man that I got to know and love. He may have started life off on the wrong foot but he learned and lived and changed in ways that many wouldn't have thought possible. He grew and opened himself to the new ways of the world and making sure that family was always his first priority.

So it is with an extremely heavy heart that we await life's last mystery. He suffered a heart attack this morning and is now on a ventilator. It is 100% certain that if his last wishes had been followed to the letter, he wouldn't even be clinging to life now. But we know how important family is to him and wanted to make sure that as much of his family could be there if or when his journey finally ends. He has led a very charmed life and more times than we can count on two hands, has been told his journey was at an end, only to fight back because his love for family and especially his favorite grandson, Syrenboy would not let him go quietly. Unfortunately , this time the battle appears as doctors have said to be one, that simply cannot be won.

On this day when my family is in so much pain, I feel completely and utterly useless as I'm trapped on the other side of the country as she drives back home to be by his side. I have already booked the earliest flight I can get to the east coast but it will be nearly midnight by the time I arrive and likely the sun will have already descended on this charmed one.

I want everyone to know how much I love my father-in-law and how I hurt for my lovely wife and children. Prayers are more than welcome and while we hope for another miracle, we prepare for the unfortunate reality.