Yesterday, September 6, my dad passed from this life into the next and I wasn’t there to see him take that final step. His breathing changed and my mom texted me to tell me to come right away, but he slipped away very quickly.
I’ll be honest – that really bothers me. Since my dad went into the hospital early Saturday morning, I’ve sat in his hospital room a lot. Although he slipped into a deep sleep on Sunday and hasn’t been responsive since Sunday evening, I feel like I have been part of his journey as he was crossing from life to death. It makes me sad to have missed when he took that final step from life into eternity.
My mom said it was a peaceful step. He gave a small smile, breathed out and was gone.
I just wish I had been there to see it.
As I sat by my dad’s bed these past four days, I’ve been struck by what a struggle it is, both to enter this world and to leave it. Even if the person is ready to go, there is a fight they have to wage for the soul to let go of this physical body.
My dad, for the most part, seemed peaceful and pain free. His breathing was heavy and labored at times, but for the most part, he just slept. At times, it was hard to watch, and I prayed that God would take him home sooner than later.
The nurses said he could probably hear us, so I would talk to him. We played music for him. We held his hands and rubbed his feet. We wanted him to know that even though he had to make this last journey himself, we would be there to keep him company.
As I watched him, I kept wondering what he was thinking and feeling. I kept wondering what was going on for him. Really. Was he scared? Was he uncomfortable? Did he really hear us? Did he wish he could tell us anything? Could he sense Jesus in a special way?
Death is something that has alternately fascinated and terrified people since Adam and Eve bit into that apple. There are many mythologies that have sprung up around that journey from life to death. A lot of those stories picture the person going on that journey over water.
As my dad worked to leave this life, in my mind, I pictured it as a journey over rough waters. That’s probably because I was reading in Luke 8 on Monday, and it was the story of the great storm. The disciples were terrified – which is saying a lot since they were seasoned fishermen – and Jesus was a sleep in the boat.
The disciples always get a lot of flack for their lack of faith, but I have to think my response would have been the same. If you’re honest, yours probably would have been, too. They were fishermen. They knew those waters, and they knew when a storm was deadly.
And Jesus seemed to be unaware of the peril everyone was in.
It felt a lot like we were journeying over stormy seas this week. It felt a lot like Jesus was a bit unaware, as we wondered why God didn’t just take my dad instead of having him work so hard to leave this life.
But just like Jesus knew and was in complete control of every wave and gust of wind on that boat, He was right there in that hospital room, this whole week.
Death has a terrible beauty about it for a believer. It’s hard to lose someone you love, and I know it was hard for my dad to leave us. He worried about my mom, and he was disappointed not to see Brody graduate from high school. At the same time, he was going to be in the presence of God – no more pain or sorrow or treatments or sickness.
My dad is now whole, and more alive than he ever was on this earth.
I know I wished I could help my dad in some way this week, but I could only be present – a spectator in his final fight.
Jesus was more than a spectator. He was there, right in the boat, with my dad as he crossed that last stormy stretch. He was there, not to wait on the shores to welcome him, but to be right there with him until the boat bumped into the shoreline, to hold his hand as my dad stepped off the boat and onto that heavenly shore. My dad was never alone and neither were we.
I have no idea what it is like when we take our final breath, but in my mind’s eye, I see waves calming. I see a boat bumping into a shore line.
And there’s a crowd.
As Jesus helps my dad off the boat and onto shore, my brother is waving his arms, whole and healed. My parents’ dear friend Ruthie who passed away a few weeks ago, has a huge smile on her face, eyes shining. Friends and family are there to welcome him into his real home.
I have no idea why I wasn’t able to be with my dad in those final moments, but I trust that Jesus is always in control. I was able to sit with him and talk with him the night before. I got to paint that picture of the crowd waiting for him on that shoreline. I got to assure him he didn’t have to worry about my mom, that we’d take good care of her. I got to tell him I loved him and he was the best dad ever. I have to trust that was enough.
Death is terrible, but it’s beautiful, too, because no matter what our crossing is like, Jesus leads us all the way to the shore. And we know, my dad’s life is just beginning with joy and celebration.
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
Psalms 116:15
Blessings, Rosanne
4 Comments on A Terrible Beauty
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Death, where is your victory! Death, where is your sting! My heart aches for you, Rosanne and your family, but also rejoices with you that this man was not only in your lives, but such a huge part of your lives as evidenced by your testimony. His testimony will live on through you and Bruce, your sons, and generations and generations yet to come. My prayer for all of you today is that God brings to your mind memory after memory of special and ordinary happenings -times when he was there smiling with you and times when he was there encouraging you with words of life. I am fascinated with the many names of God and I pray that the God of ALL comfort will reveal Himself to you and yours today and that you know that you know that you will see your Dad again one day. Blessings of peace and joy and comfort be upon you and yours today and in the days to come.
We do not mourn as those who have no hope . . . I love you, my friend. Keep on trusting, even when you can’t see. You are never alone. <3
You may not have been there for that final step, Rosanne. But you have loved your Dad well, and he has always known the special place he holds in your heart. You have honored and respected him, and he has always spoken of you with love and admiration. You were a blessing to him. God may not have given you the “ending” to this chapter that you were hoping for, but you have to know that the next chapter will be incredible. I love you sweet friend, and I’m praying God will fill your heart with peace and comfort. And fill your mind with sweet times spent together.