Beginings and Endings

I've struggled with what to write. My life has been very complicated in the last 2 1/2 months. With unbelievable joys and sudden sadness, along with lots of worries and some events that expressions can not be given in print.

I'll start with the endings.

Kim's father Donald Lee Hardcastle passed away unexpectedly Sunday, Dec. 19. At McKay Hospital after suffering a dissected aorta. He became ill Sunday morning and went home from church, and when his wife came home from church with a friend, because Don didn't come back to pick her up, she found that he had fallen on the floor, weak, and couldn't get up. After a 911 call and an CT scan it was found he had a very large & long dissection in the aorta.

After the heart surgeon and cardiologist talked they both shared the possible and very poor outcome with the family. He had already gone into renal failure and he was unable to keep any blood pressure without medication. They were honest and blunt with Don and the kids and then the decision was passed to Donto make. He of-course decided that he would not have the surgery.

His wife & kids were able to say good-by, along with my four kids and a few in laws. He was made comfortable with pain medication, BP meds were adjusted and he went to sleep and passed about 7:45pm.

Don didn't have a lot to say, but he made up for it in his actions and love for his family. He loved and cared for his wife and they were together 55 years. Any time there is a loss there is sadness, remembering and pulling together. And most of all there is relying on the Lord and being grateful for his eternal plan for all of his children.