In Memory of a Wonderful Man

1Cor 2:9 - What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love HIM.
Last night Mark was breathing heavily and my youngest daughter phoned to say she was coming back to the house with her daughter Mark to spend the night. She made a bed on the floor in Mark's room and she told me I could turn off the monitor to sleep and Rich also. Mark always told her he wanted her face to be the last thing he saw.
I went into the room and sat by Mark and held his hand and said "I love these hands....He tried to open his mouth but his eyes were shut. I could tell he was trying to say something. I kissed his cheek and said "I love you too"
He went back to breathing heavily. Rich went to bed and I went upstairs and changed into my pj's. I went downstairs again and Shelbi and Mark were next to Mark's bed on the floor. I got up several times during the night to check on him and each time my daughter was awake. I finally turned off the monitor and around 6am she came to my room and said "Mom I don't think Dad is breathing." I flew out of bed, ran downstairs and sat at his side. He breathed two last gulps of ait. I held his hand and just looked at him and the peaceful look on his wonderful face. Shelbi went upstairs and woke Rich up and he ran downstairs and checked for a pulse...and then another body part and another...he said "go and get a mirror!" I said "Rich, you do not need a mirror, Mark has gone. The three of us sat there quietly.Mark passed away today at 6:20 am. I called my two kids and they came to see him before I called Hospice. Rich and I washed him and changed his clothes. I put a Gonzaga University t-shirt on him and warm, soft pajama bottoms. Everyone came and saw him and then once this was done I called Hospice and a nurse showed up. No one was crying and we all felt this so perfectly orchestrated by God. The night before my three children had made a circle with their children around Mark's bed and each person (adult and child) prayed for peace for Papa.
After the Hospice nurse entered in time of death and contacted the Dr. she called to have his body picked up.
My youngest daughter had a mentor that she had worked with for five years and each Sunday they had a Bible lesson and communion on their lunch breaks.
This man quit working there two years ago.
The van pulled up and the man was the van driver. He and Shelbi hugged and he walked in and said how peaceful Mark looked. They carried him out and Rich and I held each other teary but over joyed at how wonderful this experience had gone.
My kids called Mark's friends and others and I still need to call cousins.
Connie and her husband came by with a beautiful card and a clematis and two jasmin plants for the backyard. Then the neighbor next door brought orange juice and donuts and the neighbor on the other side brought sandwich rolls and cookies.
Mark's brother Brett came and left with Rich for the airport so Rich could get home to his wife.
Tomorrow we will plan the memorial and what we want to say about him in the paper. Neighbors all said the same thing..."Mark was such a NICE man and he loved his family so very much." I said to family I was thankful that this is what people thought of him and not that he was married to his work or something.
Psalm 116:15- Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
Forty five years of marriage to this wonderful man was not enough.
I feel so blessed by this whole experience and if I could say one last thing it would be that I pray that each one of you will love your family, your mate and your friends while they are still with you.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Rev 21:4
I will be finalizing this throughout the week.
Yesterday gifts came and we used them during the night and day. Thank you for the cross, the prayer shawl, the lavendar sachet, a large chicken pin cushion,the poodle cow(Granddaughter Mary slept with it) and the prayer banner from Molly. I have other things to tank you for I know.
I will be posting photos of cards, and other things and hope it might give you ideas if you have not comforted someone before.
Today was a beautiful day and though we will miss Mark, he could not have left in a more wonderful, love filled way. He wanted to be home and he was and it was a blessing to all involved.