Please Keep the Prayers Coming

My sister, Becky, and I just got back from visiting my Uncle Harold in the ICU. His breathing situation is not any better and they asked him if he wanted to be put on a respirator. He has a DNR order which states not to put him on one if it would be long-term. The doctors said if he was put on now, it would be permanent and he'd have to live in a nursing home. Uncle Harold declined and says he is prepared to go. They allowed his granddaughters 11 and under to see him today. The hospital is also allowing my aunt to sleep on a cot in his room. Becky and I went to the hospital tonight knowing it would probably be the last time we see him alive unless God intervenes miraculously.

When we walked in, we could hear him picking at the nurse. I was reminded of when we first met him. My Aunt Thelma is only 14 years older than I am and met Harold in college. I was probably 6 or 7. When she brought him home to meet my grandparents, the grandkids should have scared him off. Instead he pretended to eat worms in front of us, which grossed me out, and picked at us. Later, he would torture us by tickling us to tears. So I wasn't surprised to find him on oxygen, struggling to breathe, and still giving the male nurse a hard time. Then he made sure the nurse knew he had been kidding, then added, "You might have to come in and help my wife tonight." He talked about Heaven while we were with him and how he has loved ones he looks forward to seeing again. It seemed like he was reassuring us, and himself, that he would be alright. I told him I hear a lot of complaining from people, then hear "Well, that's life. It beats the alternative." Well, that depends on what your alternative is. Uncle Harold seems to be looking forward to the alternative, even though it breaks his heart to leave his wife, children, grandchildren, and his parents. Yes, he still has his parents. They were there visiting tonight. It breaks my heart that his mom has to lose her child and my heart breaks for my aunt, my cousins and their children, too. Saying goodbye to your loved one is NEVER easy. Please pray for God's peace and comfort over my uncle, aunt and their family. Thank you.