Posted by: captain Russ
A Very Sad Day... - 02/10/10 11:38 AM
Last night, Doc, my dear old father-in-law and best friend, passed away. I have been his primary caregiver since he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 1997.
I left a 30 year corporate job, and have been handling a Family Trust, and Education Trust and taking care of his personal needs and business. That's the least I could do for a man who spent his entire life giving to others. I didn't expect or take any compensation; even for out-of-pocket purchases. It was my great honor to help. As a physician, he chose mental health administration at vastly reduced compensation, compared to private practice, because he could help far more of those who most needed the care.
He was my role model, and my teacher until the moment he died. A simple, humble man, raised on a farm, who made his mark in his chosen field and with the charities and causes he supported, with no praise or recognition expected, all his life-time.
Sadly, he relied on me because he couldn't rely on his natural children, who tried their best to get every dime he had.
As I sat in the Hospice room last night after he died and watched the crying and moaning of kids who didn't even take the time to visit and were always calling for "help", I had to really fight off the anger.
His was a life that mattered. Doc, at 93, and not very responsive, rarely had visitors. The standard response was, "He doesn't know I'm there, so I just don't go". I firmly believe that, even yesterday, the moment he passed away, he knew there was someone there there who loved him.
Gradually, his beloved Kiwanis Club, his church; even most good friends and family members just "disappeared".
Hospice was canceled at 10:30 AM on Monday because he was doing so well. The next day, he was gone.
Please, please cherish the ones you hold dear. Do what you can for others.
And always remember and be thankful for the ones who made a difference in the lives of others. Hank was so fortunate to have Don M around. His compassion and genuine caring is one of the reasons why he is at the top of my "good guys" list.
Russ
[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 02-11-2010).]
I left a 30 year corporate job, and have been handling a Family Trust, and Education Trust and taking care of his personal needs and business. That's the least I could do for a man who spent his entire life giving to others. I didn't expect or take any compensation; even for out-of-pocket purchases. It was my great honor to help. As a physician, he chose mental health administration at vastly reduced compensation, compared to private practice, because he could help far more of those who most needed the care.
He was my role model, and my teacher until the moment he died. A simple, humble man, raised on a farm, who made his mark in his chosen field and with the charities and causes he supported, with no praise or recognition expected, all his life-time.
Sadly, he relied on me because he couldn't rely on his natural children, who tried their best to get every dime he had.
As I sat in the Hospice room last night after he died and watched the crying and moaning of kids who didn't even take the time to visit and were always calling for "help", I had to really fight off the anger.
His was a life that mattered. Doc, at 93, and not very responsive, rarely had visitors. The standard response was, "He doesn't know I'm there, so I just don't go". I firmly believe that, even yesterday, the moment he passed away, he knew there was someone there there who loved him.
Gradually, his beloved Kiwanis Club, his church; even most good friends and family members just "disappeared".
Hospice was canceled at 10:30 AM on Monday because he was doing so well. The next day, he was gone.
Please, please cherish the ones you hold dear. Do what you can for others.
And always remember and be thankful for the ones who made a difference in the lives of others. Hank was so fortunate to have Don M around. His compassion and genuine caring is one of the reasons why he is at the top of my "good guys" list.
Russ
[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 02-11-2010).]