Daily Archives: November 18, 2005

Tonight, at about 8:10 Dad took his last breath and his heart slowed to a stop.  I am very glad I was there.  One minute there were very weak breaths, then those were done.  One minute there was life, fragile as it was, then it was gone.  Dad just kind of slipped quietly away.

The emotions are complicated at a time like this; a death that is in many ways a relief from a disease that began to take Dad away years ago.  However, there was a strong bond that withstood the ravages of the disease and the last few years have let us take time for him as we prepared for this sort of inevitable day.  It is hard to part from someone you really love, even if they are going on a journey to a better place.

So, my Dad, Thomas Lloyd Dice, born Aug. 24, 1919 in Prince Albert, died today, Nov. 18, 2005.  Eighty six years lived to the full.

The end of a long chapter of my story.  The beginning of a whole new chapter of his – the eternal life begins.

This week has been different.  When I went to work on Monday, I let my staff know that my dad was not doing well and that I may have to take some time off during the week.  Now here we have made it through this long week, and it has really been a busy one in terms of work, with no cancellations. 

We wait for death as we do for birth.  There are forces at play in both situations that we do not understand or control.  We like to think we control our bodies but for the really important events, the coming and the going, we wait.  We take what we are given, whenever and however it is given, and we deal with it. 

It is hard to describe what it has been like this week.  It has been tiring as I have gone to see my dad before and after work and have carried on with the rest of life as well.  My family have been gracious; taking care of the meals and stuff, letting mom spend time with Grandpa.  They haven’t seen much of me.  But we all know there are few days left to spend with Dad.

So, today, I have the day off.  I will help start the funeral arrangements.  There will be time to sit at Dad’s side watching him move closer and closer to his time to go.  His breathing last night was so shallow.  Things are shutting down.  His grip is getting weaker.  The signs of impending death are getting more evident.  It may be today.  It will be soon.  The process is inevitable and since the place he is going, confident that he is going to be with the God whom he loved so much, is going to be so much better we hope he will not stubbornly cling to his failing body for too much longer.