My dad, Jeff Edwards

For years I didn't have the best relationship with my dad.  It was distant and one where we saw each other only about twice a year.  It's not what I wanted, but what it became.
On January 2nd, I got a call from my step-mom that dad had been rushed to the ER for respiratory distress.  His blood oxygen level was at 57%, so they weren't really expecting him to make it through the night.

Amber and I drove down the next day to see him (and really say our "goodbyes" to him).  Little did we know that he'd pull through this and live yet another two and a half months.

During those two and a half months, I vowed to travel down to see/visit with him (some while he was in the hospital, some in the hospice house, and some at his home) every Wednesday-Friday...and I am ever so grateful for those days I got to spend with him (and thankful for my family who helped take care of my kids so I could do this).

I feel like our relationship grew stronger during that time, and that is something I will always remember and love.

On March 16th at 5AM, he passed away in his sleep.  He looked very peaceful when I went to see him....what a way to go.

His memorial will be on March 24th at 2:00pm at his neighborhood clubhouse.

I love you, dad.

What a rough few months we've had.....

Whew...where do I start?  You ready for this?  LOL

In September, I had my surgery (total hysterectomy/hernia repair/removal of adhesions from my bladder)...Marty's mom came to help out for 17 days (couldn't have done it without her).

In mid-December, Marty's mom (age 72) found out she needed her aortic valve replaced, so Marty flew up there for 5 days to be with her while she was in ICU.

Then on 12/26, we drove to Jacksonville to spend some days with his family in Ponte Vedra Beach.

From there, we drove to Ohio to see out friends in Cincy for 5 days.
While there, poor Grace got the flu....she had to drive back home sick. :(

On our way back home from Ohio, I got word that my dad was in the ICU in Ocala in respiratory distress (difficult time breathing).  For you with medical knowledge, his pulseox was 57% on admission!

That next Friday, Amber and I drove down there (3 hr drive one way) to see him, and at that point....thought we were saying our "goodbyes" to him.

It's been 24 days since then, and he is still alive....living in a hospice house near The Villages, on 6 liters of O2, and is bed bound.  Amber and I take turns driving down there for days to be with him...and just soak up these last days with him.  Angela lives close-by, so is with him almost everyday.

It's been a very emotionally draining time for us all lately.

Grace & Hunter in the snow in Ohio

All four of us

My dad with Hunter & Grace

Hunter & Grace on Christmas 2012