~FIRST DAY IN HEAVEN~

William Edgar Elliott

March 4, 1930 - February 20, 2014

My beloved father went home to be with Jesus early yesterday evening after more than a decade long battle with dementia.  Although our hearts are broken, we rejoice he is now in heaven encircled by those who have passed on before him and the God he has loved so much.

To those of you who have shared in my heartbreak over the years, read my writings, sent notes, left comments, made visits, etc., I can't begin to thank you.  Your kindness to me and my family has helped forged friendships that will last a lifetime.

Please pray for us as we plan the going-home-celebration of my daddy's life.  It is our hope and deepest desire to make him proud.

Love,

~HOSPICE~

Over five years have passed since I first began sharing with you stories of my beloved father...  As a preacher-man, I was blessed to live with an amazing man, one whom I love and will always adore.  Forever and always he will be only one thing.

My Daddy.

The journey of my father's life with dementia and the accompanying twelve year long goodbye is about to come to an end.  My father is in his last days of life and HOSPICE was called in today to assist our family.

We are praying for a gentle, pain free passing.

The picture above was taken by my mother in 1956.  My father was 26 years old at the time, a bit cocky and crazy-handsome.   She told me this evening that this is how she still sees him in her heart.  He would have been 84 on March 4th.

Please pray for Mom.  Today was a difficult day for her and the choices she had to make just broke her heart.

Mine, too.

Thank you for your kindness and for lifting us up to the Father.  His grace and peace are covering us and we are sustained by His love.

Love,

 

~PEACE THIS VALENTINE'S DAY~

Celebrating LOVE today in it's purest form.

I hope your day is wonderful and filled with hugs, kisses and lots of love and affection.

Yesterday was a tough day visiting my beloved father in ICU.  He's hooked up to machines and he remains unresponsive.

  (Thank you to those of you who stopped by yesterday and for your kindness and prayers towards my family.)

My heart is broken.

I was hoping my dad would wake up so I could see his beautiful eyes again and he could see my children as they stood by my side...

He'd be so proud of them and the amazing human beings they've become.

Before we left for the evening we all held hands and I prayed over the man who did the same for me so many times.  My mind raced back to the time when I was four and in the hospital with some blood disorder.  He was my rock.  He was strong.  He was my hero.

I remember the sound of his deep melodic voice and the prayers he prayed over me as I cried in his arms and begged to go home.

If I could have crawled up onto the hospital bed and laid beside my father I would have.  Instead, I held his right hand and kissed his lips and white whiskery cheeks.  I breathed in long and slow before asking God to show mercy upon His humble servant, William, and bring peace to his long suffering mind and body...

Peace.
In whatever form God sees best to send it.

For as long as I live I will miss the tiny box of chocolates my father left for me each and every Valentine's Day morning and the little "I LOVE YOU" cards scribbled out in his distinctive hand.  Although not without flaw, he will always be perfectly imperfect in my eyes and I will forever remain a blessed daughter.

Blessings as you remember that

LOVE NEVER FAILS.

(I Corinthians 13:8 NIV)...

Love to you~