Last night at about 11:40PM, my 93 year old Uncle Carl stopped breathing and made his transition from this valley of tears and trials, onward. Yesterday he was not eating, but was peaceful. At about 12:30PM he told me, "Let me rest now. Patty, you go home." The day before he was rather confused in his hospital bed, but now I look back and know he was making his last steps of his journey, end of this life. He was even humming and singing a song which I did not fully recognize, but I believe it was a Polish hymn, one I often heard my Grandpap hum. How great is that that Uncle Carl had a song in his heart and on his lips his last days. He was ready and so were we, yet when the call came, it set a lump in my heart. The last of my family--this makes me the oldest generation. While I am happy for Carl, I still have a tear flowing at the loss.
Carl was seeing and talking to both his mother and father; some may find this odd, but my Grandma Rose, his mother, was a strong presence in our family and she always appears when death is imminent. I believe the birds he was seeing may have been angels fluttering to carry him. Even in his confusion he was peaceful the last days.
I am thankful that we were here for him in his last days. Thankful that the psoriasis rash that had caused him such discomfort was gone yesterday. Thankful that we have a family funeral home to handle and facilitate arrangements. Thankful for the Army soldiers who will do the military gun send off at burial. Thankful for the local Firemen who will be his pall bearers; he was the last living member of the original charter men who formed New Kensington Volunteer fire Department #1. He will be buried with his beloved fireman's jacket, cap and his Army tank battalion cap. I have made most of his arrangements the past year as I knew it could be any time; I am thankful I was here for him. He trusted me with his life and affairs and I believe I have done my best for him.
We will likely have the funeral on Tuesday with a viewing on Monday. Carl wanted a military gun send off and I know he is going to be watching from afar, as we lower his casket into the family plot, beneath the tree where he would go to sit and visit the others. At Aunt Jinx' service he told me, "Patty, right here next to this tree is where you put me. I can look over the hills at everything." He was ready and prepared and so we say "Till the other side, Uncle Carl; you did it your way and life was good."
Likely I will not be posting for several days. Lots to do. Amen and in His Hands.
I created this blog to record our RV trips and ;morphed into life in our retirement lane and telling my tales of life. Now my tales of life are on widowhood, my new and probably my last phase of l I have migrated to Facebook where I communicate daily, instantly with family/friends all over. I write here sometimes. COPYWRIGHT NOTICE: All photos, stories, writings on this blog are the property of myself, Patricia Morrison and may not be used, copied, without my permission most often freely given.
I'm sorry to hear your news, Pat. My thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteI pleased to hear that Uncle Carl will get the send off his life has earned.
Your Uncle Carl sounds like was a dear man. It is hard to see the last of that generation to leave. I am glad he was resting as he passed. God Bless you this week with comfort and peace. Take care of yourself during this time too.
ReplyDeletePat, our condolences to you Jerry on the passing of your Uncle Carl. I had not done any blog reading the past couple of days and read backwards tonight to this curent post. As you said, it was nice that you were there for Uncle Carl and he and you are both the richer for that. Take good care of yourself in going through the days ahead.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your good wishes. This is going to be a wonderful celebrtion of a life well lived; as the funeral director said, "93, I'll take that any day." The firemen have a ceremony for Monday evening at the funeral home, the ringing of the last fire bell. I know Carl would have enjoyed this funeral. As much as my aunt, his sister, wanted nothing, Carl was a people party guy and wanted it all and so it will be. No dirges either to be sung, good music; Eagles wings, Here I Am Lord, Be Not Afraid, 23rd Psalm hymn a paraphrase, and the Polish farewell to life hymn....The sun is shining and we hope Tuesday will be sunny at least until after the graveside send off. Firemen coming from all over. I am amazed as "Tux" outlived all, but the younger ones who knew him spread the word and it is quite a fraternity of men. Firetrucks for the funeral Tuesday too. The church stepped right in and said they would do the meal after the burial, at first I refused saying there would not be too many, thinking just us and another nephew and his wife, but it looks like a good gathering. US Army soldiers coming to be honor guard and fire the salute send off. If a funeral can be joyous this one will be. He would have loved it all. I only wish I had brought many of the photos I have of him, but did not as I did not know this would be the farewell trip. One friend said, "I think he waited until you got here." A nurse thought the same. They said right before he took his last peaceful breath he sang. The monsignoir smiled because he knew Carl and agreed, "He knew God was calling and he accepted. Carl knew when to fight and when to accept." The church musical director printed some photos from this blog and that will be it as well as his soldier's framed photo from the house and their wedding photo.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your uncle passing. He must have appreciated your support during his last days.
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