Jack, Dad, Grandpa, Pops

John's dad, my father-in-law, goes by many names around our family.

I have always called him Jack,

John, of course, calls him Dad,

My girls call him Grandpa

and

Tiz and Soli call him Pops.

 

We just heard from John's sister that Jack is no in hospice.

His time is limited, very limited.

 

While this should be a very sad time, both John and I feel that a great part of Jack died when his dear wife, MaryAnn died in September of 2011.

It has been a slow deteriorating, a slow death.

The visits to the Care Center got harder and harder, there was little to talk about, and he tired easily.

The little girls tired him out quickly.

We haven't taken them for quite awhile now since we felt it would be better for them to remember Pops as he was when he was happier and healthier.

 

Now we wait and for a control freak, like myself, waiting is hard and not knowing is harder yet.

 

Our prayer has always been that Jack's end would be swift and painless.

Our prayers have been answered so far, there has been little pain and the end seems close.

 

So, we will wait to get the word and then we will say our "See you later, Jack, Dad, Grandpa, Pops"

 

One thing is certain, my dad, Ken will be waiting at the gates with a manhattan in one hand and holding the hand of a little brown boy waiting to meet his Pops.

What a sweet welcome that will be!