Eddy celebrated his 29th Birthday with David and received the best gift. My visit home felt like a dream. Spending time with dad was a blessing. To see my sisters caring for dad gave me so much peace. The next few days did not slow down for any of us. My sister Lucy flew back to work to Chicago and to arrange to come back soon. Then my mother’s blood pressure elevated so high she was taken to the hospital to what my sister Noemy pleaded her not to die. Mom flew back to Ohio, drove to Michigan to visit her doctor to turn right back as soon as she could. My brother Carlos and wife Haydee, who were visiting their grandchild in Michigan went to the hospital to check on Haydee's risen blood pressure then flew in to Orlando to be with dad.
In the heart of all this we were celebrating birthday, after birthday, after birthday.
Celebrating life continued to be the theme. That same day, June 15th, Eddy came to the hospital with 2 cupcakes. He wanted to celebrate his birthday with David, just as they had done so many times when they were kids. All of a sudden and to our surprise, after 36 days of silence, we heard David’s first sound. Eddy had asked David to speak for him and he received an “Aaaaaaaa” as his 29th birthday gift. You could hear kisses, tears, laughter and everyone asking David to continue speaking over and over again. We were all yearning to hear his voice again. We filled our phones with pictures and videos recording the moments.
The Hospital’s priest Father Dominic and Father Martin had become regular visitors and a true blessing for all of us. They would pray over David for healing in such a powerful and loving way. They also cheered at this new milestone.
On the evening of Thursday June 16th I felt sad to the point of making a note in my journal about this deep sadness. There were so many emotions that could explain having a heavy heart to what I prayed about it and fell asleep.
My son Fernando drove to Miami that evening because he had been casted for a movie which part of it would be filmed in Miami so he needed to work that weekend. He arrived at the hospital around 3:00 am. He woke me up and we left the room. We walked downstairs to get a cup of coffee. Half asleep, I remember being so happy to see him. Then he gently embraced me and told me my father had just passed away. I recall just looking at his eyes trying to register his words. I wanted to believe I was dreaming and in disbelief we cried together. Fernando then related that as he was leaving around 10:00 pm that evening, dad had asked him to tell David that he sent him all his love. Then as he drove down south, around 1:00 am he received the news that dad had passed. About 1 hour later, Jorge who was in Miami that weekend, came to the hospital after getting into an accident for rushing to be with me after hearing the news.
My sisters and brother said that he had a peaceful smile and was so serene that Noemy had to hear the confirmation from the nurse before she could accept dad was gone. The rosary David had giving him remain at his bedside all the time and they placed it in his hands as he rested in peace. “Thank you Lord for such a peaceful death”.
After discussing with one of my sisters that David couldn’t complaint of his suffering because he could not speak, this reality influenced dad to offer up his own pain for David.
In my heart I knew I couldn’t communicate dad’s passing to David and I prayed and asked the Lord to guide me for the appropriate time. A part of me cheered at the sounds, which David had uttered two days ago, and on the other hand I grieved my father’s voice as it silenced forever.
Life on earth is short but we will live forever. This is what we believe. We will see each other again in a place that Jesus has prepared for us. This is our Hope. We will praise our Creator together with hymns of joy. This is our Faith.
(Hebrews 11:16; Luke 2:29-32)
In the heart of all this we were celebrating birthday, after birthday, after birthday.
Celebrating life continued to be the theme. That same day, June 15th, Eddy came to the hospital with 2 cupcakes. He wanted to celebrate his birthday with David, just as they had done so many times when they were kids. All of a sudden and to our surprise, after 36 days of silence, we heard David’s first sound. Eddy had asked David to speak for him and he received an “Aaaaaaaa” as his 29th birthday gift. You could hear kisses, tears, laughter and everyone asking David to continue speaking over and over again. We were all yearning to hear his voice again. We filled our phones with pictures and videos recording the moments.
The Hospital’s priest Father Dominic and Father Martin had become regular visitors and a true blessing for all of us. They would pray over David for healing in such a powerful and loving way. They also cheered at this new milestone.
On the evening of Thursday June 16th I felt sad to the point of making a note in my journal about this deep sadness. There were so many emotions that could explain having a heavy heart to what I prayed about it and fell asleep.
My son Fernando drove to Miami that evening because he had been casted for a movie which part of it would be filmed in Miami so he needed to work that weekend. He arrived at the hospital around 3:00 am. He woke me up and we left the room. We walked downstairs to get a cup of coffee. Half asleep, I remember being so happy to see him. Then he gently embraced me and told me my father had just passed away. I recall just looking at his eyes trying to register his words. I wanted to believe I was dreaming and in disbelief we cried together. Fernando then related that as he was leaving around 10:00 pm that evening, dad had asked him to tell David that he sent him all his love. Then as he drove down south, around 1:00 am he received the news that dad had passed. About 1 hour later, Jorge who was in Miami that weekend, came to the hospital after getting into an accident for rushing to be with me after hearing the news.
My sisters and brother said that he had a peaceful smile and was so serene that Noemy had to hear the confirmation from the nurse before she could accept dad was gone. The rosary David had giving him remain at his bedside all the time and they placed it in his hands as he rested in peace. “Thank you Lord for such a peaceful death”.
After discussing with one of my sisters that David couldn’t complaint of his suffering because he could not speak, this reality influenced dad to offer up his own pain for David.
In my heart I knew I couldn’t communicate dad’s passing to David and I prayed and asked the Lord to guide me for the appropriate time. A part of me cheered at the sounds, which David had uttered two days ago, and on the other hand I grieved my father’s voice as it silenced forever.
Life on earth is short but we will live forever. This is what we believe. We will see each other again in a place that Jesus has prepared for us. This is our Hope. We will praise our Creator together with hymns of joy. This is our Faith.
(Hebrews 11:16; Luke 2:29-32)
| Lucy’s poem to dad: Oh, my troubled Love, In your last days You gave all you had To the ones you loved so much. A precious sacrifice To exchange your breath With that of a younger soul I know it in my heart. Oh so desolate a garden One more glance at the branches you left behind fills one with the strength and inspiration to carry on. |  Dad and Lucy. |
