I listened to a voice recording I did on January 17, 2018 which was two weeks before my dad died. In my recording, I was talking about teaching another Reiki class on February 10th. I was also talking about wanting my book to be finished so that I could take copies with me on a Hawaiian dolphin trip in March. Of course, that wasn’t going to happen because my friend was still editing my book and I needed to have patience and surrender to Divine Timing.
Little did I know, at the time of that recording, that my dad would soon make his transition. He had been doing fine at the Senior Assisted Living Center in Chicago, Illinois where he had been living for the past two years. Luckily, we had him on hospice care for the past 6 months. The nurse visited him weekly; monitoring his medications and vital signs. He also had support from the spiritual counselor and social worker. He declined a volunteer, but had lots of social activity and interactions at the assisted living.
I got a call from my daughter-in-law on Thursday, January 25th while I was on a beach date with my husband that my dad had a sudden onset of confusion that morning. She wanted him to go to a local hospital but I told her to call hospice because they would be able to evaluate his condition and make further recommendations. Hospice made their visit and determined that he would need overnight nurse monitoring.
The next morning hospice determined that he qualified for inpatient care at their hospice division at a local hospital due to a possible stroke. Things looked positive the next day and then his health further deteriorated. The attending physician informed us that my father was indeed terminal and suggested our family visit him as soon as possible.
I was able to get a one-way flight to Chicago on Monday, January 29, 2018. My daughter-in-law picked me up from the airport at midnight and we immediately went to the hospital. I burst into tears when I saw my dad lying on that bed looking unresponsive and weak. I kissed him on the cheek and whispered into his ear “all is forgiven.” He reached for my hand and I know that he heard me and was glad I was there. I spent the night in his room and didn’t sleep well due to waking up to his every sound and movement.
On Tuesday, my sisters arrived at the hospital and we spent the day in his room. It was wonderful to have their love and support. My dad died at 8:00 am on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 – two days after I arrived in Chicago.
I then realized why there were so many delays in getting my book published. My dad’s passing needed to be in my book and his Memoriam is on the last page.
I am grateful that I got to spend quality time with him before he passed and fully understood that it’s all in Divine timing.