My Grandfather - now a waiting game

My mother just called. My aunt called her, and my Grandfather has not opened his eyes all day. He is non-responsive. He is still alive, but they are hoping he goes soon as he is now suffering. They can't see him lasting the night.

That is all for now.

Sorry to hear that. It's hard when someone is suffering like that.

I'm sorry Dawn.

My thoughts are with you and your family... losing a loved one is hard, but when they're suffering, you have to accept it's a blessing for them to pass on... take comfort.

That's so sad to hear. Please feel free to come here to talk, cry, complain. We're here for you, even in bad times.

Thanks everyone! I have not heard anything further, and have not called my mother yet (can't bear to hear the news and don't want to freak her out with the phone ringing), so I'm assuming he has not passed away yet. I know he is suffering and his time is very soon, especially after what my mother told me last night about being non-responsive and not opening his eyes. I really figured I would hear by now. I don't want to lose him, but I don't want him to continue suffering.

Just got the call a little while ago. He passed away around 2 or 3 this morning. He passed away at home which is what he wanted. He did not want to be in the hospital, so I'm glad that they followed his wishes! He had a really good day on Friday, but then just never woke up on Saturday and passed away Sunday. I am so thankful that he had a good day on Friday!

There will be no service, as that is what he wanted. He will be cremated, then next year my mother and aunts will take his ashes out west (Saskatchewan) to where my Grandmother's ashes are as well.

Thank you everyone once again.

I'm so sorry for your loss.May he rest in peace

I hope he has found peace. I'm sorry Dawn.

Sympathy to you and yours.
"when Jesus comes to claim us and says it is enough - the diamonds will be shining - no longer in the rough" ~ John Prine.

Oh Dawn! I'm so sorry for you and your family. I know you all loved him very much. But honestly, I'm also glad for him and for you that he was able to have one last good day, have his wishes honored, and was able to lay down his burdens with dignity. My grandmother died at home when I was in high school. Like your grandfather, she lived with relatives far away and wanted to not die in a hospital. The day before she died she told my cousins that she'd had the strangest dream. She said she was so very, very tired, but she decided to go upstair, something she hadn't done in a few years because of bad knees. She said she went up and up and up the stairs and there seemed to be many more stairs that she remembered but strangely it didn't hurt and as she went she got less tired. She could see dim light at the top of the stairs and hear voices and some of the most beautiful music. My cousins asked her what she thought it meant and she said she didn't know but she thought that when she went to bed again that night she'd finish the dream and find out. She died in her sleep that night. I do think that some times, after a long life, death is a release and a blessing. We miss those who died, but I don't think they are unhappy.

Karen, what a joyful story about your grandmother... if only it'll happen that way for me when my time comes.

And Dawn, I'm sure you know Grandfather is better off, he's gone to be with his sweetheart in a much better place.

My thoughts are with you.

So sorry, Dawn.


I only hope I can slip away in my sleep in such a peaceful way. Great story, Karen, thanks for sharing it.

That's a great story Karen! Thank you for telling it! I am really glad that he had a good day on Friday. That made it a bit easier to deal with (that and he is not suffering). I also know he is with my Grandmother now and they are happy once again. I had a dream shortly after my Grandmother died that we were all at their place (after she had passed), but she was there and told me that she is happy and healthy now (she died of lung cancer). That really helped me, and now I know Grandpa is with her, so they are both happy now. Having another dream with both this time would be great, but I'll settle for the one with my Grandmother. All day I of course was thinking of him, and the main things that popped into my mind where him calling me his "bum" (he called me that even after I was married). Silly I know, but it makes me smile when I think of it.

Thank you everyone. I really appreciate the support!