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Debbie and Dad,
I am the daughter of Joe Faggard! When he introduced me to his friends he would say I was his daughter-in-law. I would remind him I'm the step daughter, I'm not married to Shan nor Lanny! He always knew in the past when in illness of mom or himself I was just a phone call away.. "Call Debbie", he'd say. I was there not only for Mom, but Dad too. How proud I've always been to serve their every need.
Once early in July he asked me several times, "Can I call you My Daughter?" I would reply, "Why sure you can because that I am." He would repeat how much he loved me, held my hand thru many times of his final three months of life.
I would sneak in his room and turn the monitors down so not to wake mom. It wouldn't be long before mom would wake to see me not laying beside her in bed and she knew exactly where to find me, beside dad. As I held his hand, I would remind him of all the friends and family who called and came to visit and comfort him, as he held on as long as he could. As the morning peaked, I'd tell Dad, "Look, we made it Joe, It's time to open the curtains to see the sunshine, trees, and humming birds fly. He would gaze out the windows grasping each and every moment.
Many times Mom, Joe, and I would recite the Lord's Prayer together, as this would comfort him. During his final days he was unable to speak, but as he heard the words we spoke, you could see the comfort, the love in his heart would pour thru his eyes, and the fear would fade away.
During his final moments, as Mom and I began to recite the Lord's Prayer, along with two of his beloved granddaughters saw in his mouth he was struggling, as if to join us in Prayer, one last time. Away he slipped into the Pearly Gates of Heaven. No longer would he suffer nor feel pain.
You see I am his Daughter, and that I am proud to be. Love you always, Joe. -Debbie
Sunday, September 25, 2011 |
