No more pain...

I am sad to say that my Uncle Jack passed away late last night. The hospital discharged him on Friday, but Sharon was not quite ready to have him at home yet, so she decided to have him moved to a wonderful nursing center just a block from the hospital. It is a NEW nursing home that has all private rooms that are more like small, homey, one-room apartments.

Sharon was able to spend quite a bit of time talking with him Friday, thanking him for being a good husband and father. On Saturday, he became much more incoherent and it was harder for him to communicate. Sharon reassured him that she and Mikael were okay and that they would have others to help take care of them...she also told him Jesus loved him and was waiting for him.

She felt compelled to go back to be with him later in the evening, which was a blessing, as she was able to be with him as he peacefully took his last breath. My mom (who has been there staying with her for a few days) was called to the nursing home and said that the staff gathered together to hold a beautiful, yet simple, ceremony - surrounding them in prayer and placing a hand-made quilt over him.

I am sad for my cousin, Mikael, who was not able to be there until today. Tomorrow they will begin the process of making funeral arrangements.

Please continue to pray for their family. There is an element of relief, as he was in such terrible pain and discomfort, yet, I know the sadness and loss will at times be unbearable. My uncle said he knew the Lord and that he was going to a better place - for which I am so thankful.

Revelation 21:3-4
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."