Precious Moments

This is mostly for my memory, but you can enjoy it if you want...

As Andrea, Mom and I were getting ready to leave last night, I bent down and kissed Dad's forehead and said, "I love you, Daddy."
It was like a fairytale kiss that woke Sleeping Beauty; Dad opened his eyes and looked at me. It was the first moments of many with an alert Daddy.

Mom got close to him and told him that there are so many people who love him, but she loves him most. She, of course was teary and I could tell Dad wanted to make her feel better. He tried to move his arm, so she took his hand and put it to her face.

We swabbed his mouth with a special sponge soaked in ice water they use just for that, which feels good to him to have the cool on all the sores in his mouth and down his throat. He also perked up quite a bit when Mom told him he could have his coke. He took a few gulps, which was nice to see, but after one drink he couldn't do more. I think it may hurt his throat a lot.

Andrea talked to him, expressed her love and appreciation for being her Dad.

Mom told him it was Friday night--date night. She said they could go out another day. We all cried.
I told him the name we chose for the baby we're expecting (Mark for the middle name, which is his--I guess I'm pretty sure it's a boy). I told him he had to snuggle it and sniff it's little head.
He slowly worded, "Oh, I think we can all do that."

Andrea asked him if he wanted to go home. He puzzled (yes, his cute furrowed brow still works well). I told him the doctors said we could take him home. If I could pretend to read his mind again I'd say he was wondering why the doctors would let him go while he was still so sick.
I told him his liver just wasn't cooperating; he needed to get it going again.

He muttered, "I have to chuckle."

I told him it didn't seem like it would start working again.

He whispered, "You might be surprised."

I asked him if he knew something that we didn't. I told him to talk to God about getting his liver going again.

He puzzled more. He tried so many times to say things, and Mom and Andrea probably remember things he said that I don't.

I don't think he completely understands, especially because he's still so ready to fight. It is so hard to hear him so alive and willing to live, but know his liver is so not. I realize there could still be a miracle, which I would gladly welcome. But this may also be part of his mission...and a sad chapter in all of our lives.

Aunt Gail put it wisely, "The will is there, but the body isn't."
And Aunt Naida also spoke truth, "There are worse things in this life than death." I know Dad has lived through his share of 'worse things' and he'll be on his way to better.

We will love Dad as much as we can for all of you. And I'll put last night in my heart as a treasure never to be taken from me.