I don't know if it's because of prayer, but something happened which, I will admit, gives me pause.

I got a call yesterday morning, around 6:15. It was SIL #5, telling me that Dad was in bad shape, hardly able to breathe, and I should get down there ASAP. When I got there, Dad looked aweful. And he stopped breathing while I was standing there. I thopught he'd died, but it was apnea. The hospice nurse came over, and checked Dad out thoroughly. He had no gag reflex to speak of, she could not hear his heartbeat with her stethoscope, and his hands, feet, knees, and elbows were cold, and mottled blue. He was unable to speak, but could nod and shake his head. She let us know that he could no longer eat or drink, and that, from this point, he would only get worse, until he would most likely slip into a coma, and die. I was there pretty much all day. Not long after I left, he woke up again, as he had been doing at irregular intervals throughout the day.

He was just laying there, unable to speak, when, according to my brother, it was like Dad decided enough was enough, and just snapped out of it. He clearly, if raspily, said he wanted a drink of water.

When I called this morning to see how he was, Mom told me he was sitting up in bed, talking to brother #2, and brother #3's son, drinking some broth. He's certainly slid closer to death than he was before, but he's not yet ready to go gentle into that good night. He may well leave us tonight, but I'll always be grateful that he had this bit of reprieve, however it came about.

My thoughts are with you and your family.

Or quickly... Thanks for the update. I’ll keep a good thought in mind for you and yours. Take care and be well.

Thanks for the update, kgswiger. I was wondering how he was doing, but I don't want to be a pest and ask too often. I've been keeping him in my prayer intentions when we pray a rosary with our neighbors (not every night, but often). I'll keep him in my prayer intentions, and your mom and family too.

All to you and yours.

Oh Lord, be with this man who is soon to come to you, his family and especially kg at this time. Bless this praying man and his family in no uncertain terms. Fill his room with Your Light. Gloryify Your Name in this circumstance. Fulfill the Dad's wish. Let him see the salvation of his children. Thank you, Father for listening. In Jesus's Name I pray, Amen.

A further update: I was down to see Dad on Saturday. He was sitting in his chair in the living room, eating a mashed up pickle. He was coherent, and while his damaged lungs make talking a chore, was able to take part in conversation.

Thanks, everyone, for the well wishes, prayers, and positive energy. Like I said before, it seems to help, even if it is psychosomatic.

We don't see eye to eye on much, but I gotta tell you--you construct an impressive prayer.

He does, doesn't he? When he wants to, his writing is downright beautiful.

xxxx to you and yours xxxx

In spite of the reprehensible nature of much of what he writes, Dd is perhaps one of the most gifted writers on this board. I save lots of his posts simply as examples of his craft.

A natural poet if one was ever born

That's a nice thing to say, Arch. I appreciate the expression thereof.

Dd

Gorshk. Save 'em, eh? Wow.

I'll try to be a little more careful in case your kids get a hold of 'em. heh heh heh.

Dd

...I, too, wish to be enjoying pickles. Hopefully, deep fried, with tangy ranch dressing.

kg?

The Lord is more real than the air your papa is still breathing.

He is The Essential Fact of Life.

"Father in Heaven, apply Your irresistible grace to this situation. Move in your servant's life in spectacular manner that can't be construed as psycho-somatic, coincidence or spontaneous regeneration. We need these mighty deeds from time to time to comfort us like thy rod and thy staff comfort us Oh Great Shepherd as we are led into green pastures by still waters where You set the most sumptuous table for us in the presence of our enemies and heap abundantly joyful things into the cup of our lives. Father, what a grand finale for an old praying man, even an Arminian, to go out with the bang of having seen a miracle, so the old prayer warrior could yet see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. The unsaved souls of his offspring await your tender ministrations, Savior.

For your Children.. For Your Warriors in Prayer.., for their many mansions.., for your Bride, to Your Glory!!!

Just a couple hundred more Sundays in church for them all, okay, Good God who sees, hears, and delights in the gifting of His sons. Lift him to his feet, my Savior, even if he may have to lean on his strong son's arms getting to and from his familiar pew. Allow him to kneel, even if it is Your will. Give him words of praise for your name and testimony to your never-failing, everlasting love. Make his funeral a gathering of the saints. Give kg a story to tell. Make Faith Based a refuge for the diseased about to turn to You following a great miracle given as a result of simple prayer by us simpletons here. Invade this place with your overwhelming majesty, and as is Your wont, dispense fonts of grace at every turn of every kind. Heal body, spirit and soul. Bring every nasty lefty in here to repentance. Show us, Oh God, that You call the shots. Show us Oh God that You defy the Laws of Nature at will when it is good for your children that you do so. We are watching, Father. We are expectantly watching. We delight in Your Power. We wonder in your lovingkindness. We deserve nothing. We ask for everything. You are the God Who forgives, provides, Loves like no other can. Thank you, in Jesus's Name. And Lord, you must be working mightily with these folks, they even said a couple of nice things about me. Loving your enemies goes a long way with You. Delight this small crowd of watchers. Even they can think when you clear their minds and give them something to see. Get kg's daddy back into that church that he loves to worship the God that he loves Who will save the children that he loves. Sweet Jesus gives me the bidding, the Holy Spirit gives me the Power, and you ordain that it be done, I thank you that you give me a prayer, a hope, a reason. You do this because you are merciful and because you are merciful we can have hope. You have honored me beyond honor in that you have entrusted me with that Name given under heaven by which men MUST be saved. Heal Mister Swigger for a couple hundred church attendances with his son kg and the others of his family. Take the old fellow home with a satisfying and miraculous bang, Oh Lord. You wouldn't put it in my heart to pray this way if it wasn't posible, even likely. I expect it to be done, and I don't expect to be put to shame because Your Word says what Your Word Says. Amen.

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Amen

Dd