Sunday, mom’s day, I was visiting my parents. My aunt and uncle were with us. We’d had a great day together, sharing stories, laughing, crying and being together as family. Around ten, mom took my elderly dad into the shower for his evening wash. I heard an animal sound, rushed in to see my dad slumped over his stool. I threw a towel to my shocked mom as my aunt and uncle came running. I got mom out of there and my aunt, uncle and I picked up my dad’s lifeless body. He was white, cold and thin. I was thinking to myself, “Thank God I’m here. This is “It.””
Dad literally left his body. I could see it, feel it. “Okay, I can do this. I can handle this. I’m strong.” This was going over and over in my mind like a warped record as we were wrestling his limp, dead-weighted body. We were trying to lift him out of the shower and put him on his walker seat to move the body. My aunt leaned down and said, “Breathe Lyle, breathe.” And like a Hollywood movie, his chest heaved deeply expanding his ribcage, and air filled his lungs. Several minutes had passed from the original moans, to mom’s exiting, to us moving him. Here he was back in his body.
Everything happened so quickly it was phenomenal. “In” one minute, “out” the next, and back “in” after several. An amazing experience. Within thirty, he had color and was talking, quipping, telling us he hadn’t bothered talking to St. Peter, he wasn’t interested…yet.
Bigger picture: dad graduated from hospice over a year ago. We have had an extra year and three/quarters with him. He’s lived at least 12/13 extra lives this go-round, surviving incredible odds, accidents, body failings. He is such a testiment to the power of positive beliefs and thinking. And yes, he is back with hospice as his heart is literally tired. Fortunately I have had the ability to stay and help my mom, spend quality time with my dad, writing down memorable moments. It’s all too easy to forget those special exchanges in the aftermath of a near passing.
The good news he is definitely an integral part of the circle of life, living a good, happy nearly 87 years. That’s the way it should be in a perfect circle.
I want to rejoice when he does take his final breath, a celebration of a life well-lived, a toast to a true rebel. I will continue to communicate with him – we’ve talked about that- but I will miss him.
May you spend time with those you love. Life is but a blink of a very fast eye, the circle closing all too quickly.
Make your circle always sparkle with daily gratitude.
Cosmic sunshine to you.
"Isle of View" 
Thank you for sharing this Candia. You and your family were always very special to me.
Wendy, thank you so much for reading, even more so for commenting. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. How are you? Where are you now?
This is so beautiful candia. I can just picture Lyle commenting on St. peter , and yes , he would tell him he is not interested yet,! Being with our parents in their final year is such a blessing and privilege . Thank you for sharing your circle of life.
Thank you Kelley. It means a lot you’d comment and more importantly understand. And you’ve got the image right- dad was pretty insistent on not talking with Peter just yet. It was funny and oh! So him! Best part is I get to stay till Friday which is super. Thanks for your empathy and compassion.
Awesome experience. Thank you for sharing and take good care.
Thx Troy. Appreciate your love and support. Has meant so much. Has really helped my foundation and I know you’ll be with me through the process till it’s culminated and beyond. Love you
Your Circle of Life got me thinking about how much time is put into anticipating and preparing for the birth stage, our miraculous entrance into the world. By contrast, its much harder to anticipate and prepare for one’s exit. Thank you for sharing these precious moments with us, helping us to gain a deeper understanding and reverence for body and spirit.
Jeannie, what a wonderful contrast. Thx for the reminder. Good friends’ son and wife just had a baby. Has been so much fun to celebrate her entrance into life. It’ll be a treat to watch her grow up and thrive. The gift is always there reminding us the circle is never broken. Love you!
Sanders, I am so pleased you are able to have these amazing moments with your fabulous father! You are an inspiration to me with your incredible attitude and your ability to keep moving forward with such positive grace while in the middle of so much. I think of you often and hope to find a way back to spending more time with you in the future. I miss having you as my touchstone to keep me clear thinking. Love, love, love you!
Vic, thx much for being my lifetime friend. You mean a great deal to me and what you wrote I’m most grateful and appreciative. It’s been a hell of a ride. Still in the storm but my life raft is strong and flexible. You’ve been here, this place, but just fortunately not all at once. You’ve lost many and have to deal and manage through the tidal waves of emotion. Life sometimes isn’t easy. I believe it’s our perspective that sheds light on the process and sees us through the other side. Looking forward to seeing you next month. Thx for all your doing? And yes, we will reconnect at that deeper level again…in truth, we have never lost it. Big hugs, love and gratitude for you!