My father died this morning around 8:30 am on his 75th birthday

 

I am thankful that Chuck and Mom were with him and witnessed it to be a peaceful passing.

 

The cop in Chuck shined through in his calm manner, despite this earth shaking event for him.  I was brushing my teeth when he called and said, “We aren’t telling anyone else yet, until it’s been confirmed, but report to Mom’s house.”

 

I had seen Dad the night before and it was heartbreaking to see him decline so quickly over the past 3 weeks.  I knew what Chuck was saying, so I didn’t ask for clarification, I just ran out the door to meet them at the sanctuary.

 

The grandchildren were called in next and we all sat around and cried and told stories until Swilley’s Funeral Home carried Dad away.  That was a gut wrenching moment for everyone, to see someone you loved so much be taken from you; knowing they are never going to come back.

 

I couldn’t handle it and walked out the back door.  I kicked off my shoes and walked out onto the grass.  I wanted to be connected to the earth and all life as I let go of Dad as I knew him.  I thought about the piles of concrete U’s that had been stockpiled on this field for so long and marveled at how beautiful and manicured the lawn looked now.

 

I walked out to the lake bank; thinking about how Dad liked to jack the hospital bed all the way up so he could see the lake out the front window and could still monitor the back gate out the back sliding glass doors. What a lovely park he’s built here.  I could feel him hovering over it.  I found joy in knowing he could see every part of it from a different perspective today.

 

I wondered how, when and where I’d see him again.  Would he come back, like the cats do as butterflies and dragonflies?  Would he come back as a tiger?  Or would I see him, in his previous form, like I do some people?  Maybe I would never “see” him again, but I felt him in that moment.

 

My mother sent this out to family and friends today:

 

Some of you may already know, but we wanted to notify you that Vernon passed away peacefully at approximately 8:30 this morning, on his 75th birthday.   He had visited with his children, and grandchildren. They have surrounded him all this week with laughter, stories, and readings. Chuck read the Bible to him for an hour yesterday, and that seemed to calm him.  He slept comfortably through the night, and quietly passed from this life to his reward.  In keeping with Vern's nature, we are going to have a family only memorial service for him at the cemetery in Bushnell.  Details will be given to family members once we have decided the date and time.  Thank you for your continued prayers and thoughts during this time.  In Love, The Stairs Family

 

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

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Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.  Closing graphic with permission from https://youtu.be/F_AtgWMfwrk