2015 Sunday March 29-- Our Last Moments With Leland
As thunder rolled and lightning flashed, Leland took his last breath. The skies wept with us for a few moments. Then the most brilliant rainbow any of us had ever seen appeared in the eastern sky; a full double arch with repeating colors, the sky almost glowing inside the arch. A gift and a promise from heaven; a measure of comfort on this worst of all days.
The love of my life, the father of our children, my best friend, companion, the steady rock we could always count on to fix broken things or broken hearts, was gone, and we could only hold each other and weep, as his last gift to me, a huge red valentine heart balloon, swayed gently in the corner still afloat.
The Hospice nurse came, the paperwork was signed, and we prepared him for the last part of his earthly journey. The nurse helped us dress him, and I combed his hair. Cherilyn removed his wedding ring, which I gave to Mark. He lay there, still and at peace, as though he would open his eyes at any moment, smile at us, and ask how long he had been asleep.
Too soon the undertakers came, and after more papers were signed, they transferred him to the gurney, placed him in the bag, zipped it to his chest, then thoughtfully covered it with a nice patchwork quilt. They stepped outside then, to give us a few more moments with him. We gathered around him with tear streaked faces, and somehow Chaunda led us in singing Amazing Grace in a remarkably strong voice. I reminded everyone that his dearest wish was to be reunited with all of us in heaven, and all of us agreed we would be there.
Then Matt prayed for him and for us all. One by one each said good by. Then I kissed Leland's dear face one last time and with breaking hearts, we let him go. Grant stood at attention and saluted our husband, father, grandfather and veteran, showing highest respect from one young soldier to an old one. One of the worst days of our lives was over. The battle was lost, but not the war. He went to sleep in the full assurance of God's love, and with absolute confidence that he will awaken to spend eternal life with Jesus and all of us.
I am so very grateful for our children, natural born and "adopted." They have been so wonderfully helpful and supportive, as we cared for Leland together through his last couple of days. Tina ran the kitchen, keeping us fed, making sure we all ate and drank enough fluids. Todd shared the whole experience, looking after Phoenix and supporting us all with hugs and his presence. Dawn took some very sensitive, beautiful photographs so discreetly we did not even realize she was doing so. Matt, Chaunda's boyfriend, was here through it all, cleaned up the kitchen that last night while we were all incapacitated by grief, and stepped forward to pray for us when none of the rest of us were able to.
Leland's memorial service will be held on April 25, at 3 pm at Riverside Church in Washougal, WA. There will be a reception immediately afterward. Seating at this venue is limited, so PLEASE RSVP to Del or myself so that arrangements may be made for extra refreshments and seating if necessary.
