Running in Heaven

To our faithful friends and family:

At 8:05 p.m. tonight Mike drew his last breath on this earth and went to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ. We rejoice that Mike is free at last from his broken mind and body and imagine him running in heaven. It makes me think of the song of the lame man who was healed by Jesus "he was walking and leaping and praising God!" 

We learned on Christmas Eve that Mike had tested positive for Covid-19, but up until this morning, he only had some congestion. About 10:30 this morning I received a call from the speech therapist who told me that Mike was in a much weakened state this morning and was not able to swallow. His oxygen levels were dropping and he was not doing well. Thankfully he was not in distress and was very calm. I was concerned at how they would keep him comfortable if he couldn't swallow or breathe. The speech therapist said an end-of-life gift from God is that when the body cannot take sustenance it goes into a euphoric state. That is a gift indeed.

Later I spoke with the on-call doctor and he prescribed a couple of medications that could be used if Mike showed signs of pain or agitation. I knew from having gone through this with my Dad, that we were drawing close to his death. Around 3:00 the speech therapist, Keegan and I were able to video together. Caleb was driving home from work, but was able to talk to Mike, so at least Mike heard his voice and Caleb could tell him he loved him and was praying for him. Mike was very calm, calmer than usual, and really focused on the phone screen. Later in our video session he reached for the phone and was trying to say something. We told him we loved him and were trying to touch him through the phone also. We assured him all was OK and we prayed he would be with Jesus soon. 

About 7:30 I received a call from Mike's night nurse. Mike was declining rapidly. He was on oxygen and they were giving him the maximum they could give, but he was still not getting what he needed. He was "air hungry" which she said was a fancy way to say he was gasping for air. Yet, she said he was not in distress. She said he looked like he had given up the fight and was happy. I suppose he was in the euphoric state and possibly already seeing Jesus welcoming him to his eternal home. 

We spoke again at 8:25. She said Mike passed peacefully with her and two CNA's by his side. I am so thankful that he was not alone. I know that God was with him, but it's also comforting to know that he had human touch also, since I could not be by his side and holding his hand. 

I am forever grateful to all of the staff at Appomattox Health & Rehab Center. They have truly been wonderful and loved on Mike and me as if we were their very own family. Both the speech therapist and the nurse let me talk and ask questions without feeling that they were in a hurry while I know they had much to do. I praise God for leading us there. 

Right now we are not planning to have a Memorial service until sometime in the summer of 2021. Mike really disliked the cold and with the pandemic it's not a good time. His birthday is in August, summer was his favorite season, and the beach was his favorite place to be. We'll decide about the memorial service later, but at some point after that our family will take his ashes and release them in the ocean. I know it has not all sunk in yet, but I am so glad to know that Mike's spirit is already released and he is whole once more in his heavenly body.  He is at peace. 

My brother-in-law shared this with me tonight and it is comforting:

"...his Spirit soars with wings like eagles and according to Eccl 12:7 we know that while the body returns to the dust from whence it came, the Spirit returns to God, Who gave it."

Run and soar with God, Mike, for you are confined no more. I Love You!