How fast it all changed.

[soccerdad72]

I'm so sorry for your loss

 

[Wendy31]

I know things didn't go as you & your kids had planned or wanted, but I'm thankful you all had both some shared & some private & special moments upon your return.

When my father-in-law passed away a week ago, my husband & I weren't there. We had been there all week long, but, mid-morning of that day, my mother-in-law had asked if we would go out & try to find a shirt for my father-in-law to wear w/ his suit in the casket. I told DH that I would go by himself, but DH wanted to go w/ me & said that, every time he left, he realized it could be the "last time". Anyway, we had literally just stepped into our local mall, when DH's brother called & said we needed to come back because their dad's breathing had changed. We rushed out to the car, & I prayed the entire way back that we would make it. Traffic was horrible, & it seemed like we got stuck at every single traffic light & behind every single slow car.

We didn't make it back in time.

But, as soon as we got back to their house & walked into the bedroom, there was such a different feeling in the room than had been there in all the days prior. And the look on my father-in-law's face wasn't just peaceful & at rest but also... happy. And DH took great comfort in that. I felt so guilty knowing that I had taken DH away & he hadn't been there - because, like your DD, he had wanted to be there, but DH assured me that everything had happened the way it was supposed to &, because of that, he didn't feel like he had missed anything. He held his dad's hand & told him, "Welcome home."

I know the situations were different, but I hope you & your 2 wonderful kids were able to feel that same peace in the room with you.

Thank you for allowing us to be with you during this journey... you have been an example &, just in these short 35 days, your family has touched so many people. Like others, I went to sleep last night thinking of your family. I am absolutely heartbroken for you, & I'm just so, so sorry...

My prayers continue to be with you & your son & daughter...

 

[OhhBother]

I truly hadn’t thought of this song in years. But it’s been playing in my head non-stop since I read your post, Rodeo. I believe I’m supposed to share it with you.

 

[DLmama]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[lynxstch]

Another silent follower. Was heartbreakingly sad to sit here and read the update that he had passed during the night.. It all happened too quickly. You have handled it all with such grace and dignity and followed his wishes till the end. I will continue saying prayers for all of you. May your husband rest peacefully in God's hands, and watch down on you from above. God Bless you and your children.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I was also restless last night, around the same time - had gone to bed, sleepy and ready to drop, but found myself tossing and turning just about the same time.

We're all connected, I really believe it. You and your family are in all of our hearts, Rodeo.

I NEVER wake up in the middle of the night, and last night I did. I was in my bed and I had my phone on the nightstand. I decided to log into the DIS, and that is when I saw the news. I was the first to respond. Strange how we are all connected.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I know things didn't go as you & your kids had planned or wanted, but I'm thankful you all had both some shared & some private & special moments upon your return.

When my father-in-law passed away a week ago, my husband & I weren't there. We had been there all week long, but, mid-morning of that day, my mother-in-law had asked if we would go out & try to find a shirt for my father-in-law to wear w/ his suit in the casket. I told DH that I would go by himself, but DH wanted to go w/ me & said that, every time he left, he realized it could be the "last time". Anyway, we had literally just stepped into our local mall, when DH's brother called & said we needed to come back because their dad's breathing had changed. We rushed out to the car, & I prayed the entire way back that we would make it. Traffic was horrible, & it seemed like we got stuck at every single traffic light & behind every single slow car.

We didn't make it back in time.

But, as soon as we got back to their house & walked into the bedroom, there was such a different feeling in the room than had been there in all the days prior. And the look on my father-in-law's face wasn't just peaceful & at rest but also... happy. And DH took great comfort in that. I felt so guilty knowing that I had taken DH away & he hadn't been there - because, like your DD, he had wanted to be there, but DH assured me that everything had happened the way it was supposed to &, because of that, he didn't feel like he had missed anything. He held his dad's hand & told him, "Welcome home."

I know the situations were different, but I hope you & your 2 wonderful kids were able to feel that same peace in the room with you.

Thank you for allowing us to be with you during this journey... you have been an example &, just in these short 35 days, your family has touched so many people. Like others, I went to sleep last night thinking of your family. I am absolutely heartbroken for you, & I'm just so, so sorry...

My prayers continue to be with you & your son & daughter...

Aww, Wendy, that's touching. I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[sasywtch]

I am so sorry to hear this. I noticed when my mom passed (and many others have said the same), I started this countdown in my head every day. 1 day ago, she was alive, then it was a week ago, etc. I thought those countdowns would never go away but they did. Others said they did the same. All of us reacted differently. There isn't a right/wrong way to grieve. One sister cleaned and cleaned, one sister contacted her doctor for pills to help her sleep etc. Whatever you need to do, don't feel it's wrong, same with your kids. I'm so glad your mom, dad, brother and SIL are there with you.

 

[rlk]

Rodeo, I am so sorry for your loss.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I'm so sorry for your loss, Rodeo, and all you’ve gone through these past weeks. What you wrote about the butterfly ornaments was beautiful, and I’m glad your DS thought to do that. My thoughts are with you.

 

[snoodledoo]

So sorry. I followed along with your journey, but I never posted, since I did not want to burden you my postings, since I was just a member of the DIS community. You made it all so real for us, which is was for you and made us all realize it can happen to any of us at any given moment. Bless you Rodeo and your family-this was the most heart breaking thread that I have ever read on the DIS. I hope you found some comfort by sharing this journey with all of us-it had to be really hard.

My sentiments as well (that I couldn't figure out how to write). to Rodeo and family.

 

[excited family]

I am so sorry Rodeo. You have been through so much in such a short time. I am having trouble writing this because I can't stop crying but I wanted you to know that you and your family are in my thoughts. You did everything you could to look after your husband and protect his wishes. You dealt with his family amazingly well. I will continue to think of your strength through this whole ordeal as I continue to help my husband. You are my inspiration right now. Can't stop crying so I will end now.

 

[Allison]

Oh rodeo, I'm crying for you.

 

[Iya]

I am so sorry Rodeo. You have been through so much in such a short time. I am having trouble writing this because I can't stop crying but I wanted you to know that you and your family are in my thoughts. You did everything you could to look after your husband and protect his wishes. You dealt with his family amazingly well. I will continue to think of your strength through this whole ordeal as I continue to help my husband. You are my inspiration right now. Can't stop crying so I will end now.

@excited family we are all here for you, too, as you walk the same path as rodeo and her children.

 

[gillep]

I am so sorry for your loss. You have been an inspiration and a pillar of strength and grace. We are here for you.

 

[fhtpdw20]

I am so sorry for your loss. I am glad that you got to take all the time you needed to say your final goodbyes. Please feel free to reach out to us as you need, when you need. I wanted to share something that helped me and is now a family heirloom. I took my DH and I's wedding rings to create a pendant. I designed a set of angel wings in the shape of a filagree heart (my heart, his angel wings and the holes he left). My wedding band nests inside of his and is held by a claddaugh (our marriage of love, loyalty, and friendship) in the middle of the heart wings. My DS and I took a trip to WDW after he passed and got a pick a pearl from Japan which is his birthstone. The pearl is attached to the center of our hearts in the claddaugh (the hands hold his ring and the heart and crown is in the center of mine). DH got to see our son married two weeks before he passed to a lovely lady named Megan. Her name means pearl so the family is complete. It is the only jewelry I wear now.

 

[Dentam]

I am so very sorry for your loss and for what you have all had to go through over the past 35 days. I am relieved your husband's suffering is over now though. I'm continuing to think of you and your family and am sending love and strength your way.

 

[lifesavacation]

I am so sorry for your loss. You have been a true example of grace and strength.

 

[OhhBother]

I've been reflecting on something all day, and I hope it's OK to share. Since Rodeo first posted, countless people have come together on this thread. We don't the color of each other's skin, how we vote, who we sleep with, what God we worship, etc. And it hasn't mattered -- at all -- because we have been united in our shared compassion, our empathy, our humanity. How amazing that such beauty can be found even in tragedy.

Rodeo, I see this thread as a powerful tribute to your husband, to you, to your family and to the love that will live on. Continued prayers for peace and comfort.

 

[Snowflakey]

I've been reflecting on something all day, and I hope it's OK to share. Since Rodeo first posted, countless people have come together on this thread. We don't the color of each other's skin, how we vote, who we sleep with, what God we worship, etc. And it hasn't mattered -- at all -- because we have been united in our shared compassion, our empathy, our humanity. How amazing that such beauty can be found even in tragedy.

Rodeo, I see this thread as a powerful tribute to your husband, to you, to your family and to the love that will live on. Continued prayers for peace and comfort.

You are exactly right. There has been something so powerful here. We have all come together as ONE.