The End Remembered

I'm finding it difficult to write this story. I don't know where to begin, nor where to end. I would like to tell the story of my grandfather's last few days. They were both beautiful and heartbreaking. My mother told me the same story that I am telling you:

Last Monday, the 20th, my grandfather was allowed to leave the hospital and return home under the care of hospice. Both weak and tired, he could use some strength to move around on the hospital bed that my mother had made for him at his house in Wichita. Monday night was extremely difficult and humbling for my mother and grandmother as they did not sleep in the hopes of making my grandfather as comfortable as possible. They fed him, cleaned him, talked to him as he was simply glad to be home.

Tuesday was spent talking with friends and family as my grandfather stayed in bed. Tuesday night, they decided to give my grandpa a sleeping pill in order to make him more comfortable during the night. The sleeping state never wore off even 6 hours after the pill had worn off.

On Wednesday, still breathing and comprehending my grandfather lost the ability of speech and movement. He was able to listen to a telephone conference to many close friends and pastors who lived too far away to visit.

The hospice book pamphlet said that people who are about to die will sometimes hold on to life if they feel as if there is still something to do, someone they are responsible for, or a task yet to accomplish. So all day Wednesday, whenever my grandmother would see her husband lying on the bed, would whisper these words to him,

"It's OK Pres. I'm going to be OK. The girls are here to take care of me. I'll be fine. You go ahead and see Jesus. I'm all taken care of. You can let go. I love you so much. You go ahead and see Jesus."

That night, my grandfather went to see Jesus. My grandmother slept peacefully in the same room until my mother and aunt woke her up.

My grandfather, Preston Huston, was a devoted man of God. His determination, ability to provide, and commitment were his love to both the world and his family. Psalm 112 personifies my grandfather beautifully,

"Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever." Psalm 112:5-6