While most of us took time for a quick nap, my mom was his constant companion throughout that long night. She always had at least three other family members by her side and was never left alone. At one point late into the evening I had my head down at the foot of my dad's bed and for some reason I happened to look behind me and was struck by a familiar scene. The only people still in the room were the women...five strong, compassionate women offering love to my dad and support to my mom, because that's what we women do.
My brothers and nephews were wonderful as well, but I have to believe that God made women differently somehow. Strong enough to hold up under strenuous circumstances but gentle enough to provide love and comfort in the same moment.
One of my nieces quietly kept the coffee pot full...another covered those that slept...my daughter spread joyful conversation...another sang hymns of praise and another held my dad's hand just as he had requested.
This Easter Eve I can't help but think about the women who were Jesus constant companions during his ministry and at the foot of the cross. The resurrection story in Luke is one of my favorite passages of scripture.
"But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn't find the body of the Lord Jesus. As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.
The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, "Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?" Luke 24:2-5 NLT
I pray that this Easter if filled with family, food and remembrance. Because He died and rose again, we will meet those we love again in paradise!
Happy Easter,
Patty
I am linking to Lorraine for Think on These Things...
Oh Patty. Your post has brought me to tears. What sweet and dear women you all were as you waited beside your dad, and how true about the dear ladies who were beside Jesus. What a glorious day, as they realized He Is Risen!!!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a Happy Easter.
Trish
Patty a beautiful post. A tribute to yourself and the women surrounding you. You and your family remain in my heart as you walk through the year ahead. Happy Easter. Bonnie
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss Patty, I will be praying for you and your family! Wonderful post about Easter and why we celebrate this special day! I also wanted to let you know why I haven't accepted your invitation to Facebook- I actually don't have a facebook account, so that is why I haven't accepted your friend invitation- but if I did have a Facebook I would accept your friend invitation : ) Thanks for thinking about me!! I hope that you have a wonderful Easter!
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter weekend! My Mom passed 2 yrs ago April 25. My thoughts of course are go back to my Mom's passing. I spent the last 3 days by her side, holding her hand and whispering to her how much I loved her and that she was free to go. Thank you for this post!
ReplyDeletePatty, your Dad was a very lucky man, indeed. So happy you had him in your life before and in your heart forever. Lovely post. Susan
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. I am so so sorry for you loss.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a blessed Easter.
Beautifully written post. Made me cry. Have a blessed Easter. xo
ReplyDeleteREading this brought tears to my eyes as I remember when my daddy passed. At his bedside were my mom and my 4 sisters ushering him into the arm of Jesus. Imagine what Mary must have felt when she say her only son...Have a blessed Easter.
ReplyDeleteblessings to you.
Patty- What a powerful touching post. My own father died alone in a hospital room because they told him he was coming home the next day and sent everyone home. I am so glad that you were there to see your father ushered to his Heavenly Home. God bless you this Easter...xo Diana
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, Patty. I lost my Mom three months ago and I am filled with wonder and joy that even though I miss her dearly I know she is in paradise for Easter and sees the Risen Christ!
ReplyDeleteSuch a touching post. (((((HUGS))))
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful post Patty. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeletePraying Gid blesses you in an extra-special way this Easter season.
Beautiful memories in the midst of sorrow. What joy in knowing our Risen Savior!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Pamela
Lovely post. Wishes for a bright and blessed Easter!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post Patty. You have some wonderful women in your life. I'm sure knowing your father is with the Heavenly Father brings you peace.
ReplyDeleteThank you for inviting me to join you on Facebook. I don't have a Facebook account. I have been thinking about it and if I decide to I will certainly accept your invitation.
Blessings you you and your family this Easter.
Barb
Hello friend...we haven't connected for a while...thank you for this lovely post. My husband recently lost his father and I was there with other family during the end. So much more comforting when you have faith. Wishing you and yours a beautiful Easter.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story about the women in your family and a great reminder about the scripture in Luke.
ReplyDeleteI know this Easter will be difficult for you and your family without your Dad, but you have th comfort knowing he is with Jesus.
My prayers for you, Patty and yours.
I am so sorry for the loss of your dad. That has to be such a difficult thing to go through...I am thankful that he had your mom, you and other family there with him at the end. How special that your mom would not leave him, and stayed with him all night long. And I love how you compared that to women in the Easter story...this was a very sweet and touching post. Thank you so much for sharing this with us...
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a blessed Easter!
Blessings,
Jenni
Thankyou for the beautiful words you have shared. Wishingyou the best this Easter time. Rosie x
ReplyDeleteA beautiful post, Patty. Happy Easter to you and your family.
ReplyDeletexo
Claudia
So beautiful, Patty! Rejoicing with you this morning and thankful that we will once again be reunited with our loved ones. And... to see our Savior!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing on Think on These Things!
Patty, you described the near exact same scene as when my dear Dad passed as well. Yes, women are strong, and can endure much more than we ever even knew possible, until the moment in time where we are tested. I certainly felt the presence of our King when I witnessed my Dad slip away. Blessings to you and your family this beautiful Easter day. I count you among my blessings.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
My heart goes out to you as you have lost your father. Your thoughts on the strength of women are so true I have seen this again and again as a beside nurse with a dying patient. I have lost both my parents and I catch myself trying to call my dad on the phone and tell him something about CC and then I remember he is in heaven now. I wish you peace on this the most important of days-Easter Sunday. Olive
ReplyDeleteWhat a powerful post you have written - brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye.
ReplyDeletePatty,
ReplyDeleteI believe we will be reunited...I believe your dad saw and heard every word...and was blessed...just as I have been!
Easter Blessings, dear friend!!!
Fondly,
Pat
Patty,
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful. I've been thinking of you and your family.
Such a profound and touching post. Wow...just beautiful. Thank you. Hugs, Annette
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful remembrance of family love as your father left to go to the Father. And there we will join him someday. Thanks for sharing. Hugs ~ Mary
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post... I wish you and your loved ones a very blessed Easter
ReplyDeleteYour beautiful post moved me to tears Patty, thank you for touching my heart with those very meaningful words.
ReplyDeleteLove you friend,
Debbie
Patty, this was such a beautiful post...it really is a comfort to know that our loved ones wait for us in heaven. Your family sounds so loving. I hope you had a happy Easter.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. I too can relate to your experience. This was the way it was with my grandmother's passing a few years ago. God Bless and thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAmen !
ReplyDeletePatty, you wrote such a sweet, and tender post, and I loved reading your testimony.
Thank you.
How blessed we are that our Savior died for us, that we may live again.
How loved.
I hope that you had a wonderful Easter Sunday with your family :)
Hugs... Kerin
wonderful post! as I recollect, there were only us women at my dads side as he passed as well......you sound like a wonderful family!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful, heartfelt post, and the hope that we will see our loved ones again some day is the blessed hope of Christ. Thank you for sharing these sweet thoughts.
ReplyDeletePatty this is absolutely beautiful. I have no words. Just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteJusting visiting Elaine @ Sunny Simple Life and followed a link to your beautiful site.....Very pretty!
ReplyDeletePatty, I am SO sorry about your dad. I was behind on my blog reading...kind of like the rest of my life, behind in everthing, so I didn't know about your dad until I saw your facebook post. I'm sure he was at peace since he was surrounded by all his lovely family. It's so hard to lose someone you love, but I think it makes it a little less painful when we know they're with Jesus...what a wonderful hope we all have, that we get to see our loved ones again.
ReplyDeleteI love you dearly and will pray for you and your family as you go through the grieving process.
Love you much
Missy
Obviously, I am way behind on reading your posts and how glad I am that I am backtracking. Your post on this day was very touching. How pleasantly surprised I was to learn of a new blog where I can also share what I call my "thoughts to ponder". Blessings~
ReplyDeleteYour post brought tears. I cried for you and your family, your past and my future. Losing a Daddy is tough!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis was a beautiful post, I am so glad that I read it!!!!!!!
Amen & thank you.
ReplyDelete