The last of the Generation RIP Uncle Carl

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.