One Last Time

Psalm 16:8

"I have set the Lord always before me,

because He is at my right hand,

I will not be shaken."

Thank you so much for all of your prayers. I was nervous yesterday as I thought of going to the funeral home and still unsure whether I wanted to see Mike or not. As I prayed about it, I turned to my favorite Psalm 16 and when I read verse 8, I believed seeing Mike's face one last time, was what I wanted to do and that it would not shake me up, because the Lord was by my side.

Having my brother, Hugh, with me was great comfort and moral support and Joe McMillan made everything so smooth and put me at ease. We only did paperwork in the morning, then returned at 5:00. As soon as Joe opened the door into the room where Mike's remains lay, I was so glad I opted to see him one last time. He looked so good and as if he was peacefully sleeping. To me he actually looked better than he has for a long while. Hugh thought so also. It gave me such joy to be able to see him without a phone screen or a door between us one last time. Many thanks to the Joseph McMillan Funeral Home for taking away the stress of a difficult time.

Today my friend, Nancy, and I drove to Appomattox to pick up Mike's personal items. I have such heartfelt gratitude for Appomattox Health & Rehab Center staff. They have loved and cared for Mike well over the past two and a half years. I told them I will have to come back when this pandemic is over so that I can hug each one of them. The director called me tonight and shared how much they loved having Mike and how hard losing him has been on the staff. We shared memories and cried together. I definitely have the feeling that it's a big family to them, not just a job. These truly are heroes to many families and their loved ones.