Requiescat in pace

After over two years of suffering, Grandpa finally saw a close to this chapter of his journey to heaven.

He had a beautiful death - he opened his eyes for the first time in days, and stared to his left, until he just stopped breathing.

It has been a long two years. He hasn't been able to speak, and for the last year he has been bedridden. I don't know that Zach has ever known him the way that I knew him as a girl and young woman.

He wasn't a man of many words, but one who always protected and provided for his family. He was thinker, and always slow to get things done. Even becoming Catholic took him 49 years of being married to my Grandma! That was three years ago in September, the day before his pacemaker was put in. He chose St. Michael as his patron saint.

Taken many years before I was born, while they lived in Hawaii.

 This week has been a hard one for our family - many all-night vigils by his bedside, fear that he was in pain, and trying to be sure that we were doing what the Church says we have to do for him.

Grandma and Grandpa have touched many lives through their suffering. Grandma has been a witness to the sanctity of life to the hospice doctors and nurses, never backing down from the Church's teaching on end of life care. The ever-apparent love that she had for my Grandpa, even when he was feeble, and unable to communicate in any way.

We are grateful for an end to his earthly pain, and pray that his path to heaven from here is easy. 

Much grieving has been done over the past year, but I would still ask for prayers for Grandma, as she adjusts to life without my Grandpa. For the repose of Grandpa's soul. As well as for our family, and the empty spot there will be.

There will be a sung Requiem Mass for him next week. A glorious way to recommend his soul to God!

I love you, Grandpa. I wish you could be here to see my baby.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace. Amen.

Love,

Jess