Opa

On Friday, July 27th, Mitzi, the girls, and I drove down to Jefferson City and up the hill to the Hickory Grove to say good-bye to Opa. It was a last minute decision kind of a trip, I had already decided a few weeks earlier, when it became clear that Opa's health was declining more rapidly, that I had said my good-byes already and a visit now wouldn't change that. But after learning how much it cheered both Opa and Oma to see their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, I realized that a trip was much more important than any prior good-byes.
When we arrived, it was great to see Oma, Jane, and Mom sitting around the table drinking a glass of wine. Opa was sleeping in his room, and while it became clear that he would not be waking to actually see us, simply being there at the time was more fulfilling (and that's not quite the word I mean) than I could have possible imagined.

The next morning at the hotel Mom called to say that it looked like Opa had passed a hurdle and that his breathing and demeanor as he slept was one of peace. His final hours were approaching. We arrived at the Hickory Grove, Oma was sitting at Opa's side, we gave her a hug and kiss. Then someone mentioned the word "walk" and both Mary Ann and Casey became very excited. I took them out, down the drive way and up Zion Road, trying to convince (rather unsuccessfully) Mary Ann that she either needed to hold my hand or walk on the grass. We looked at wildflowers and butterflies and I showed her the little creek that was always the highpoint of walks with Oma, to stand at the edge and throw rocks in, hearing the splash if the season had been wet enough to keep water in it.

It wasn't a long walk at all and we made our way back up the driveway. I looked at the row of evergreen trees Opa had planted and marveled at how tall they had grown, as I could still remember being pulled around them in the trailer of Opa's tractor. By the time we reached the house, and I saw everyone gathered in the sunporch, I realized that Opa had gone.

What followed was a peaceful family time. Tears and laughter (mainly at Mary Ann), hugs and wrestling (mainly with Mary Ann). Opa dying at home, allowed, for him (I hope) and his family (at least for me) his death to truly be the next natural step in his life. He was cared for and surrounded by people he loved and people who loved him. Thank you to Oma, Rocky, Jane, Mom and Dad for allowing this to be the case.