My son was due back from Louisiana where he visited family and saw LSU football up close and personal.
The good news is he returned with an LSU stocking cap, LSU hoodie, LSU headphones, LSU socks and, of course an LSU collar and leash for the dog.
The bad news is that his flight – due to arrive just after midnight (why in the world did I pick that flight?) was diverted to an airport an hour and a half away. I drove over to meet him; the airline was offering bus travel on a “first come – first served basis.” I didn’t like that idea; first, I would have had to pick him up at 3:00 AM at the local ariport. Second, his mother – the most wonderful person in the world (in my humble opinion) would ask me, “What in the world were you thinking?”
Given the fog, and the hour, I decided my son and I would just spend the night and drive back in the morning.
While there, I received a call from my brother and sister that our father is not doing well. In a nutshell, he’s waiting for God to call him home. I expect to head that way in the next few days after they sort things out. My sister is hoping to let him go back to his apartment with hospice care. If so, I plan on staying there with him until he leaves us.
It’s different, but then again, not different to be with my son and to be with my father when they need me.
Heavenly Father, guide me.
sfnowak 
My prayers are with you as you spend these last days with your father. Our God is ever faithful to watch over and keep His own in perfect peace.
Thanks – This year has been a challenge for all of us – you most of all. However, faith is the gift we’re given to see us through. If it were easy, we wouldn’t need faith.
Blessings especially in this time of year.
Thank you, Steve, for sharing this part of your life and your father’s life with us. The simple and humble priest–and great theologian of the Church, St. Thomas Aquinas, said: “He who asks in prayer for another–will be given first.” Peace, grace (favor) and blessings are sure to be with you.
Rick,
Thanks. My dad’s prayer was the rosary; when I got there, I prayed the rosary for him and as he faded in and out over the next few hours, he would pick up the end of an Our Father or a Hail Mary.
When he died, we made the journey together. There were other people in the room, but the journey was just the two of us.
He’s at peace. I wish Christ’s peace for you as well.
Steve