Since his fall in August and the surgery that followed Dad was staying at the Blue Grouse, the same nursing home where my Grandmother, my Mother's Mother had been. He had good days and bad days and this particular day, December 16th, was a very good day. The nursing home had its Christmas Party in the afternoon. I took this before the party. Dad had already walked the length of the hall with his walker for physical therapy and been to the therapy room to do his "leg lifts." We were getting ready to head down the hall for the party.





This is Mom at the same day and time. She had her sixth hip replacement on her right hip seven week before and had been sharing Dad's room at the Blue Grouse. Although the care there was not perfect it really was quite excellent.





The place was packed for the party, many more people then they expected. We found a spot in one of the hallways where we had a good view of the goings on. Dad was alert for several hours and saw a few friends. You can see Mom's brace here to protect the hip. They had a barber-shop quartet and a flute duet. Dad applauded but I am sure he didn't hear much as he only had one hearing aid.

Later that afternoon Dad beckoned me to get closer. Since the accident he had lost much of the control of the back of his tongue and throat and speaking was very difficult. He said a few things. First he said "I want to go on living." I made him repeat that several times because I wanted to be sure that is what he was saying. Finally he said "I want to live a little longer". Next he said "I'm not at a level place" and lastly "I don't know the route the path" and waggled his hand the way he always did when he wasn't quite sure what to do or what the answer was.

The next couple of days were bad days for Dad. He slept most of the time and it was difficult to get him to do any therapy. As the photograph on the previous page shows he would still smile for everyone.

On the 19th at about 11:30 he died. My Mom was with him, talking with a friend, and at first did not even notice that he had stopped breathing.