John Joseph Bilbrough, my father, grandfather to my three beautiful little girls, devoted husband, loving brother, took his final breath at 12:45 this morning. My stepmom, Ann, was with him when he took that last breath, and I was notified shortly after the nurse in hospice pronounced him dead. I arrived at the hospice at 1:20 and was escorted to the floor by the hospital security guard. I went into his room, and Ann was sitting at his bedside, her sister in the chair next to her. They both got up, Ann hugged me for a few minutes, and then she told me to go sit by my dad. He was just as I had left him the evening before – the same position in bed, his mouth hung open as if he was still breathing in air through the gurgle in his throat. I touched his cheek, which was cold for the first time since he went to hospice. His hands and arms were still warm under the sheets.
They allowed us to stay with him as long as we wanted. It never seems long enough to say goodbye. We sat with him an hour or so, and then we had the nurse phone the funeral director. They came about an hour later and after a brief introduction and a few questions, he left us alone to say our final goodbyes. Ann went first, and when it was my turn, I hugged him, feeling how thin and frail he had become in just this past week. The hospice nurses came to the hallway and hugged us and told us how sorry they were. They took us to the elevator and offered assistance with whatever they could. Hospice is a wonderful thing.
I am so grateful that his suffering has ended, although I cannot accept that it was really his time. I think he could have given us a little longer, and even he admitted to Ann one evening this week that maybe he made the wrong decision. When he lasted longer than he thought he might, he became very discouraged. It was hard for him to continue suffering when he had made up his mind for it to be over.
We will spend some time later this morning planning the funeral to his specifications. I am glad he got to plan things the way he wanted them, and I am more glad that we are able to carry them out for him.
Lay down
Your sweet and weary head
Night is falling
You've come to journey's end
Sleep now
And dream of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across the distant shore
Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away
Safe in my arms
You're only sleeping
What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come to carry you home
And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
All souls pass
Hope fades
Into the world of night
Through shadows falling
Out of memory and time
Don't say: «We have come now to the end »
White shores are calling
You and I will meet again
And you'll be here in my arms
Just sleeping
What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come to carry you home
And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
Grey ships pass
Into the West