winter

This winter is already hanging heavy on me but it also has its bright sparkles.
On December 15, 2014, my sister, brother and I watched my father, Samuel J. Miller, take his last breath, at home with the Messiah playing in the background.
Dad was home from the hospital under hospice care as dialysis was no longer an option. He had go to the hospital due to strokes. We never knew how many or how bad they could have been because the MRI itself would have been too confusing for him.
When he was home we had a hard time getting Dad to stay in bed even though most of his legs muscles were weak from bed rest at the hospital, etc. He wanted to get up to get ready for the trip. Didn't take a genius to figure out that Dad knew on a deep level knew what was happening even when he didn't acknowledge it.
What made this so interesting was Dad was much more concerned for the strangers that were also going on this trip. He often asked us if we had food and bedding for the strangers. We had to make sure to have enough for the whole trip and "we don't want to leave anyone behind".
He was much more concerned for others than he was himself.
Dad is on his trip with the strangers he is taking care of. He was ready for the journey but he leaves a huge gap in my heart that is trying to heal itself. It will take time. Lots of it.
I had my Dad for 95 glorious years. I was so lucky. Have a great trip, Dad. Say hi to Mom and Carlisle

And the sparkles? Other than the brightness of my Dad? I was published in Pages with my Can Do Journal. I did a YouTube video on plying cord. Both were new to me. The biggest sparkle of all was my granddaughter. She is the brightest, sweetest sparkle of all.

So say farewell to our old year and welcome with open arms the new year...thes best is yet to come.