Stahlke Adoption

A Beautiful Gift

My father has had a hard day. The pain of dying, which hospice tells us affects almost everyone, heightened for him today. The discomfort can make him combative and depressed. He can't take narcotics because with his illness they cause extreme agitation, so we've been working with sedatives and Tylenol. But they can only do so much, and we're exploring other options tomorrow with the hospice nurse.

But we learned tonight that some things work as well or better than medication:

The choir at my parents' church rehearses on Thursday night, and they telephoned to sing to Dad. "Children of the Heavenly Father," all four verses, was such a beautiful gift for him. He listened carefully, and told the choir "Thank You" when they finished. As we hung up the phone, his face was relaxed and he drifted into a deep sleep. Luther Place Choir, many thanks!

Children of the heavnly Father
Safely in His bosom gather
Nestling bird nor star in Heaven
Such a refuge e'er was given

God, His own doth tend and nourish
In His holy courts they flourish
From all evil things He spares them
In His mighty arms He bears them

Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord, His children sever
Unto them His grace He showeth
And their sorrows all He knoweth

Though He giveth or He taketh
God His children ne'er forsaketh
His, the loving purpose solely
To preserve them, pure and holy

posted by Stahlkes @ 7:38 PM