"Saying Goodbye to my dad!"

On Friday, September 18, 2009 my dad slipped away into the loving arms of Jesus. It by far was one of the hardest days of my life. My brother and I were there with him when he passed. He had been in and out of the hospital for over 6 weeks and his pneumonia had turned into a fungus. He just wasn't able to fight it anymore. Hospice came in a few days prior and was making him as comfortable as possible. I still think that struggling to breath because your body is filling up with water is not a comfortable thing no matter how many drugs they give you. The last few days of his life it was so difficult watching him prepare for his journey home. At times it was as if he was trying to work out some things in his head and was unable to express those things to us. I know that he is with Jesus. We made sure that he was ready. My uncle prayed the sinner's prayer with him several weeks prior so he would know without a shadow of a doubt that when he died he would be in heaven with Jesus and my Grandma and Grandpa Porter. I'm sure it was a wonderful reunion when he met them at the gates of heaven, those pearl gates that shine and glimmer more radiant than we could ever imagine. No more pain, no more suffering, no more Parkinson's Disease! Thank you Lord! Though he will definitely be missed I know that he is in a much better place. Till we meet again Dad...I love you and I thank you for giving me the life that you did. You were a very special man in so many ways. You're loving, caring ways...always giving and never expecting anything in return. These things will not be forgotten. This is not the end. This is not good-bye. This is only the beginning of a new life together someday. Until then...I LOVE YOU!!! See you up there!