A day to say goodbye!

It was a monday when I heard my phone ring and saw my brothers name...I knew it was not good since we do most of our communicating through texting.

"Dad told mom to call an ambulance and they took him to the hospital and mom is pretty upset." he said.

"okay, I will call mom." I said.

A very long week goes by with so many tears shed every day. I couldn't bear to see him in pain again.

Mom calls on Sunday after I had had a very tough morning worrying about him.

"If you want to see your dad before he goes....It's time to come home."

Tears.

"I'm on my way!" I mumbled through sobs.

A very nervous drive the next morning with my kids and fear! I was stricken with fear. Not because I was afraid of him dying, but like I said, I couldn't bear to see him in pain.... I didn't want to. But I wanted to say goodbye.

When I walked in and saw his body just struggling to breathe, I could barely bear it.

 I said, "Hi Dad!"

He grunted a sound that kinda sounded like huh, and tried to open his eyes. It didn't quite happen. I cried and cried. Then cried some more. But I had a hard time staying in the room. I found myself just peaking in every few minutes.

The night went on and Ben got there around 11p.m. We all visited for a while and around midnight it was time for bed so I bent down and kissed my dad on the cheek and said goodnight and went out to my tent to get some sleep.

About 4 minutes later I hear Loni scream..."RENA!"

"Yeah?"

"COME NOW!!"

I went running in and saw that he was not breathing. I asked if he was gone and he took his last breath and was.....

We cried and said goodbye.

Then the tears turned in to tears of joy.

NO more pain!

NO more struggling to breathe!

NO more watching him suffer!!

I felt glad and happy.

Sad that my Daddy was gone from this earthly life, but ultimate relief!

I loved, love, and will always love my Dad!

He was the sweetest guy I have ever met.

I am greatful for his love and wisdom that he shared with me.

I am the luckiest girl to have had the best dad on the earth for 36 years, 11 months, and 11 days!!

Till we meet again Dad!
Marvin Graham McEntire Sr.
April 26, 1941-September 11, 2012