In a Better Place

At 6:36 pm, Patrick Joseph Riley went to be with the Lord. He had all three of his sons by his side, two of his daughter-in-laws were able to say their good-byes, and 2 of his 4 grandchildren were also able to bid him farewell. I took the kids home at around 5, they were absolutely exceptional during the 2 and a half hours they were there, doing their homework without complaint, quietly playing their DS games (with headphones) and staying subdued and respectful. They really seemed to grasp the whole scenario - in so many ways, they drive me crazy with how silly they can be - and self-centered, and then, times like today I realize when it comes to the big picture situations, they really do get it.

After we left, the nurse commented that he seemed to be hanging on for some reason. It dawned on the boys to call Pat's brother, Mike, who lives in another state. They put John's cell phone up to Pat's ear and encouraged Mike to talk to him. Before that phone call even ended, Pat passed on. As I spoke to John just now, I remarked that when I said my good-bye to him with Mikayla, his eyelid seemed to scrunch tighter, as if acknowledging me. They say hearing is the last to go, and I believe his case is yet another example that he knew enough, to recognize when he finally achieved the closure he desired and could go on to finally be with Jesus.