Dying is a part of life. A little over two weeks ago, David's grandfather, Lieutenant Colonel A.J. Rantal (aka Archibald John Rantala, Art, or Papa), passed away at 91 years old. He served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force from 1941 to 1961, was married for 66 years, had three children, ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He lived a long, full life and was loved by many. He died quietly in his home, and he has surely passed on to be in heaven with Jesus. And yet...his death was sad. At his funeral especially I felt a sadness that I can't quite put words or reasons to. Even under the best possible circumstances, death is sad. We weren't made for this, and even though "everyone dies", deep down we feel that death is not right.
The hospice nurse who was with him at the very end said that at one point he was sitting up in bed, gazing upward and speaking to someone. His words were unintelligible, but he was clearly carrying on a conversation. She said she'd seen that before, but that it didn't always happen. We mourn the death of Papa, but we don't despair because he is not lost.
2 comments:
What a sweet picture of you two with Papa! Yes, it is sad that he died, but I do think it makes it so much easier that he lived a full life, and that we know he is in heaven with Jesus, where he is in no more pain, and where we will see him again one day.
Death is sad for those left behind. We miss our loved one. But, as you said, Papa lived a full, full life. He was in so much pain towards the end that I would never have wished him to live one day longer than he did. I often wondered why God allowed him to suffer as long as He did. But when he did take his last breath, I think we all could agree that it was time. He left us with so many wonderful memories!!
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