Butterflies - Part 2

I had no idea how much those yellow butterflies would end up meaning to me.

They were still around on Sunday. Sunday was a very emotionally exhausting day for me. We got to the Hospice Center and Daddy's nurse, Janice, told me he was different today. She had not really be able to arouse him. He "awoke" and wanted the blanket off of him, so I took that off and he kept pulling at the remaining covers. I removed the other blanket, then the sheet, then he began pulling the pillows out from under his arms and legs and trying to fling them away. He wanted everything off. He began pulling at this clothing and I finally convinced him to leave his clothes on. He settled back down and went back to sleep. Missy and I sat and watched him for a few hours, then Wendy, John, and Adam arrived. She tried to wake him to tell him they were there. She asked if he knew who she was, and he said, "Yes, Wendy." But then he was back out again. We basically just sat with him the entire day, although at one point, Wendy told him again that John and Adam were there. He said "Hello, Adam." So he knew we were there and he knew who we were.

Later in the afternoon, he became restless, and almost agitated. He began jumping "awake" - although he wasn't really awake - like something had startled him. At one point he also shouted "Catch me! Catch me!" We held his hands and reassured him we had him and that he was ok. He settled back down. Janice decided to give him something to help calm him. We held his hands for over an hour until we were sure he was calm. We again, just sat with him. Wendy, John, and Adam left about 5 to go home.

Missy and I stayed until about 10. Around 8:30 he began to start with the restlessness again. His night nurse, Bruna, gave him some more meds and we sat with him until we felt sure he was calm again. As I said, around 10 we left to go back tot he hotel. He was resting comfortably and his breathing was normal. Bruna promised to call us if there was any change.

At 7am Bruna called. Daddy had passed away. She said she'd gone into his room between 6 - 6:30 to turn him, fluff his covers, etc. and he was breathing normally, as he had been all night. About 30 minutes later when the aide went in to take vitals, he was gone.

I think Janice knew she wouldn't see him again before she got back on the schedule to work, but I don't think any of us believed he would be gone before Missy and I got back the next day. I'm so thankful he passed away peacefully.

The yellow butterflies were there again Monday, and Tuesday. Now, I'm sure these little yellow butterflies are there this time of year every year, but it was as if they were there to escort Daddy home, and to be a tangible reminder of the Lord's presence with us all.

I will always think of that special time of being with Daddy in his last hours whenever I see a yellow butterfly.