Due to internet and computer issues plus work assignments, I have been behind on putting this post up in honor of my father who recently passed away.
On October 9, 2012 my father suffered a major stroke at home, the Oakwood Inn. EMS were called and he was taken to WakeMed where Doris stayed at his side. I take the bus to Duke, so Debbie and Jeff picked me up and drove me to the hospital. He could not talk, nor could he eat or swallow. His wishes which were in writing and well discussed were to not have him on any artificial means of support. I abided to his wishes. He was place in Hospice of Wake County on October 11. At about 5am on Monday, October 15, he passed away at Hospice. My daughter, Diana, flew in from Michigan and was at his side when he passed. I was too late getting there.
Diana and I flew back to Michigan on that Tuesday to make funeral arrangements. My father wanted to be buried next to my mother, and this is the ONLY way he said that he would ever fly. He arrived on Wednesday. Doris had to stay behind and run the Inn until she could arrange for neighbors to help, and then she flew out on Thursday to be with us. This was a very hectic and sad time for all of us. I am very thankful and grateful for all those neighbors who helped man the Inn or provided assistance, especially Ruth Sappie. Thank you to everyone for the cards and words of sympathy.
On Saturday, October 20, my father, Louis Thomas Jurkiewicz, was laid to rest next to his loving wife, Dorothy who in his later years also referred to her as his "sweetie". The irony of this is in Michigan and some of the other Northern states, October 20 was Sweetest Day. This is when you usually would buy your sweetheart or loved one some sweets or candy. Sort of like a Valentine's Day but in the Fall.
This was a difficult time for all of us since we knew at some point, my 95 year old father would pass away, and he wanted to, being that he was tired and wanted to be with my mother. It was just a surprise when it occurred and how the events unfolded.
But He Is Happy Now! And that is all that matters.
He was a very loving and wonderful father to me. Even on his death bed, he eventually communicated to me to "take care of myself." I promised him that I would. I know that my mother and father are now both watching over me and providing their parental guidance as they was did.
My Dad lived with us for the past 17 years. When we moved down here to North Carolina to run the Inn, he came with us and lived in the Innkeepers quarters with us. He helped clean rooms and helped with lawn work. In his later years, Doris became very close to him because he depended more on us for some assistance and he was fortunate that Doris was there for him; especially that day she had to call 911. I just wished I spent more time talking to him about his past and asking questions... of all kinds. I feel like I am missing something about my past. I guess I felt I would have more time to do so and just put it off like I have done with other things in my life. A lesson learned.
The time from October 9 through 20, was a very stressful and sad time for all of us, but God helped us all through it. My father always worried about being a "burden" on us if something like this happened. He wasn't and even if he lived longer; he never would have been. My parents took care of me for my first 23 years of life ( me living with them), and I did the same for the both of them. (My mother passed away in our house in Michigan after being bed-ridden from a stroke with my father taking care of her.)
I will miss both of them very much and love them very dearly.
I must now carry on with my life that they both gave me, until the day that I can once again join them.
