Thank Goodness for family!!!

Late last week I received the sad news from my brother that my father had passed away after prolonged illness. He had been in the local hospital for the last three weeks and requiring the use of a ventilator so that he could breathe. In addition, for the last 4-5 years he had been on dialysis due to his kidneys no longer functioning properly. My wife and I along with our two children paid him a visit at the end of October. This turned out to be the last time I saw my father alive.

In the days following his passing I had difficulty grasping the thought of my Dad no longer being with us. But later I felt relief in knowing that his suffering was at an end and that he was at last free from the confines of his earthly existence. Having spent the majority of his working life out in the deserts of the Imperial Valley in search of archaeological artifacts, being confined to a hospital bed on life support equipment could not be considered a life at all.

Being able to have my own family to guide me through this time has been such a blessing. It means so much to me knowing that I have children who will go on to live their own lives and who will be there when it is my time to depart is such a comfort. In addition, being able to share life with the woman of my dreams and to grow old with gives my life meaning and purpose. Thank you my family for being there. It is because of them that my life is truly wonderful and blessed. I could not do it without them.

So as I progress in this new stage of my life, I will endeavor to appreciate each day a little bit more, love my family a whole lot more and to be totally grateful for all the good things that life has to offer. It is my wish for you that you are able to do the same.

PEACE!!