Sunday - Epilogue

It's been a full 7 days since Dad died, and it has gone so quickly.  Geoff and Betsy's girls, Corie, Sadie and Shenandoah arrived Thursday and left this morning.  Mom arrived yesterday and will stay for a few days.

We had such a good time with the girls, yet were very sorry they were not able to see their Gramps one more time.  Of course if I could wave a magic wand, it would have been best if he were healthy.  It was so difficult to see him in his last weeks, so in hindsight, perhaps it is better they remember him as they last saw him.

Geoff, Steve, Jon, Libbie and I are beginning to work out arrangements for a way to honor our father.  Although Dad specified he wanted to be cremated, he did not make or request other plans regarding where he wanted his ashes to be buried or scattered, or under what conditions.  I wrote last week we would do something at the Green Family Farm, but we are also considering other options.  I will update this blog when we make our plans, so others of you may be able to join us.

I have had several inquiries about donations; if there are designated charities for memorial funds.  People may donate in memory of Dad to:

Hospice Savannah Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 13190
Savannah, GA  31416

or by calling (912) 355-2289 and asking for the Development Department

or online at
www.hospicesavannah.org

Hospice Savannah is a 501(c)(3) organization and contributions are tax deductible.

Dad was remembered in our All Saints Day celebration at church today, and our church prayer group had him on their prayer list for a month.

I've thought it was incredibly kind of people to want to do something for Dad.  Hospice was unbelievably helpful, getting equipment the day we needed it, ordering and sending medications via FedEx to make sure they were available immediately, visiting as often as we needed them, checking up by phone calls, etc. etc.  They sent nurses, nurse assistants to bathe and shave him, a massage therapist, a social worker, they honored his military service, the list goes on and on.

Again, I will write more about our plans as we develop them.  Thanks for all the interest, care and support we've received, along with the lovely cards and notes, phone calls, flowers, fruit, meals and the memorials made.  It's a nice way to wrap up this chapter of our lives.

James Denton Green July 24, 1924 - November 1, 2010

Dad died this morning. I was getting up every 2 hours to give him his morphine, and when I woke up at 4:30 AM I didn't hear him breathing or his gurgling.  I jumped up, dashed into his room, put my hand on his face and he gurgled.  I was relieved until I realized it was a very long time before he took one more breath, and it was his last.  I was holding his hand.  He was very warm, as if he had been under a blanket, but he was covered with only his sheet.  His eyes were closed and he looked peaceful.

I told him he was a good man, a good father, we all loved him and would never forget him.

I sat with him until Dave came over about 6:30.  Dave made the calls to Hospice and the funeral home.  In accordance with Dad's wishes, he will be cremated.  We will take his ashes to Geoff and Betsy's farm when we can get together, and have a memorial celebration.

Many many thanks to all of you who took this journey with me and were so supportive and helpful.  All the comments, emails, phone calls and visits made this very difficult time easier for Dave and me.  Love you Dad.