AMphy 78. Lord I’m Coming Home

Alphy had been admitted to the Community Hospital only a few days when Dr. Verma told Margurita that her husband was dying. Margurita tried to comprehend the loss, although in her heart she had already known for some time now, that she was losing him. Margurita wanted to cry, but she blinked back the tears - she wouldn’t give herself permission to cry yet. That would come later.

Helen, who had spent the entire night by her father’s bedside, quietly told her mother that she would call the rest of the family to let them know. She urged her mother to try and get some rest.

By July 12, all of Alphy’s children had come to the hospital to see their Dad. Not to overwhelm him, they had taken turns by his bedside. The family tried to make him as comfortable as they could. There was little left to do now but wait.

Joan told Helen to try and get some sleep, and assured her she would call if there were any changes. Joan spent the rest of the day by her father’s bedside. Alphy drifted in and out of sleep.

At the end of the day, Alphy sat up in bed. He appeared more alert than he had been in a long time. Did this mean that he might prove the doctor wrong? Maybe he wasn’t going to die yet. He looked much better than he had looked in weeks.

Some of the children still hung on to that hope, but not Margurita. She knew better. She had seen folks die before, and she knew the signs to look for. Margurita looked into her husband’s face - those serene eyes looked back at her tenderly, without blinking. There was a deep calmness in those eyes - he was not afraid to die, and she knew in her heart of hearts that when the time came, she would let him go- it would be painful, but she was not afraid.

By July 13th, the family had made arrangements to take turns at their father’s bedside. Margurita stayed throughout the day. Helen had made plans to spend the entire night with her Dad once more,

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