Hello family and friends,
Tonight Paul's kids and wife gathered around the bed to spend some time with Paul. It was an emotional expereince to watch our father in this state and remember all the love and happiness he has shared to us and countless others throughout his life. We had a family prayer together and then we decided to give our father a Priesthood blessing of comfort. Josh was asked to give the blessing. The spirit filled the room, and we all felt better after having that expereince.
Paul's Heath Update:
He is pretty much in the same shape as he was a few days ago. We don't get to hear much from him anymore. His medication (fed automatically from a machine) keeps him comfortable. Our main hospice nurse, Judy, is amazed he has lasted this long and told us this morning that her guess is he will pass in a few more days (max). Paul is strong willed.
Hospice gave us a nice little blue pamphlet about death. I want to share with the quote that appears on the last page of the booklet:
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
The someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!"
"Gone where?"
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear the load of living freight to her destined port.
Her dimished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!" There are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shourt: "Here she comes!"
And that is dying.
-Henry Van Dyke
Thanks again for all your love, support, and email/blog messages. They mean the world to us.
-The Bingham Kids
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Josh, thank you so much for the beautiful updates. I am so glad that you are all there. It is a difficult time, but a special time. The time you have had together reminds me of in the scriptures as prophets of old, before they pass, they bless their family members and they have a spritual experience together. Our prayers are with you. I hope I get to meet you all someday.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Your cousin, Ann Green Harrild
wish we could be there with everyone at this time. thanks for continuing to update josh. tell pop we love him for us.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful experiences you all get to share in these last moments with your dad. Those are special times, and cherished that you all are there together. I am thinking of you often and check back regularly for the updates. Thank you for letting us all in to hear of the emotional and tender experiences you are having. We continue to pray for your family.
ReplyDeleteboy, did Henry ever have it right ! Somewhere a whiffle ball game is starting.
ReplyDeleteJesse, Josh & family......I am so sorry....you must be really sad that he is gone, but happy that you will see him again...i wish i lived close to you guys to bring in some dinners or something! you guys are all in my thoughts & prayers. How great that we have the gospel, isn't it? to know that we will see our loved ones again...much love, Stephanie (Douglass) Gregg
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