Tears and fears

[hlmauera]

My dad's younger brother, Gary, passed away this morning at 2:33 am. He's been on Hospice care for the last three weeks. He had Parkinson's and related dementia. He died of sepsis due to a stubborn Clostridium difficile infection. It was the fourth go round with sepsis due to this infection. On hospice care they don't do the invasive care and there was a lot of discussion about this before the decision was made. The treatment of the infection was so difficult for him that he had no quality of life. It's a terrible decision to have to make. In the end, we are glad he is not longer trapped in a body and mind that didn't function for him but we are going to miss him so much. He had a great smile and laugh.
I took some time this morning and ran over to the veteran's home where he was living to participate in their honor walk and flag ceremony for him. There were a lot of tears. (if you are going to cry may I recommend you have something other than Vics vapor rub infused tissues!!) It's a touching ceremony. (https://photos.app.goo.gl/YFHwuyTYjd2Ph2ao6) It was made more so by being performed by two of his
caregivers.
I took pictures this morning but I want to remember him this way instead. (he's on the right- that's uncle Jim on the left)



The fears?  My dad is the older brother and also has Parkinson's which has turned him into an old man in just two years. I fear he's next and I just can't even contemplate it yet.