Prayers for my dieing father...

[timcsaw]

My father has Parkinson's and is now in "end stage"... I suspect that we only have a few weeks left with him.

I pray that the good Lord will take him quickly rather than have him linger. Though we would selfishly and understandably wish to have him with us for as long as possible, and though we will deeply grieve our personal loss at his leaving us in this life, we will rejoice in his going to God. He is a saved man of Christian faith and he, and we know where he is going so we are at peace with that understanding.

Please pray for God's grace for him, and for those of us who will grieve his passing.

My father "Tom", served 24 years as an Officer in the US Navy and retired in '72. He spent a good portion of his life serving us, primarily on submarines, Destroyers, and Destroyer Escorts. He is the finest man I have ever known.

I thank you in advance for your thoughts and prayers for him in the difficult weeks or days ahead.

God bless you for your thoughts and prayers,
Tim

==========================
UPDATED:

The Lord took my dad home on Thursday the 9th. It was a clear, sunny, spring-like day and he went very peacefully, with the family gathered around. Though my heart cries for my own loss, my spirit rejoices that he is made new and in the presence of God.

Thank you all for your prayers and comforting words.
Tim
===========================

[dryhands]

I'm praying for you, nice to see a strong Christian on here.

[SkinnyJoe]

Sorry to hear about your dad. I wish him a peaceful transition and strength to you and your family. He is headed to a good place and he will also be with you forever.

[shandrydan1]

Thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family and a thanks to your father as a military veteran for his service to this country.

[Sulaco]

Thanks for your family's service to this country and I am praying that God will welcome your father home with open arms!

[UffDa]

All I can offer is my condolences.

[AKC]

My condolences.

[SouthernComfort]

Though death is inevitable, it is never easy losing those we love. When my father passed away, a friend shared the following poem with me. It has been awhile now, yet I still read it often as the words are comforting. Now, I share it with others in hopes that it will comfort them as well. You may even wish to share it with your father. I regret I was unable to share it with mine.

Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other
That we are still
Call me by my old familiar name
Speak to me in the easy way you always used
Put no difference into your tone
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed
At the little jokes we always enjoyed together
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was
Let it be spoken without effort
Without the ghost of a shadow in it
Life means all that it ever meant
It is the same as it ever was
There is absolute unbroken continuity
What is death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind
Because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you for an interval
Somewhere very near
Just around the corner
All is well.
Nothing is past; nothing is lost
One brief moment and all will be as it was before
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!


Canon Henry Scott-Holland, 1847-1918, Canon of St Paul's Cathedral

[555]

Sorry to hear this Tim.
Prayers sent from PA.

[Codger_64]

Prayers for father and family from Tennessee.

[timcsaw]

Thank you all for your kind condolences, thoughts and prayers... they are of great comfort.

SouthernComfort, thank you for the poem, it's just lovely and I will share it.

[PG5768]

Prayers for you, your father and family, timscaw.

[GotDogs]

All I can offer is my prayers and condolences. Be thankful for the good times. John

[nifeluvr]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

[JAB]

So sorry to hear this - smoke and prayers for you and your family.

[338375]

Smoke going up from Oregon for you and your family.

[Centaur]

I'm sorry to hear about ypur father. He sounds like he is a noble man. I offer my thoughts and prayers for your family.

[komondor]

My deepest condolences for your father, your family and you. May his and your days ahead be filled with peace and love.

[fishmonger]

Prayers from Australia

[Esav Benyamin]

The years go by and leave us dazed that those we love are bound to die.
But love will always still remain when those we love are free of pain.

My sympathy to you and your family. It's hard to watch when the leader of the pack seems to have lost his strength. The rest of you have to provide that now, to see him off on that rising trail. You will see him again, in better times.