Goodbye to Dad

Sunday, April 12, my father, Kenneth Ralph Poulson, left this world. Easter Sunday dawned bright and beautiful, and I decided to take Ava Jean to visit Dad and attend church with him. I found him slumped over in his wheel chair. For the first time there was no glimmer of recognition, in fact he never even lifted his head. The nurse helped me push Dad into the room for church, and Ava and I sat next to him. He labored to breathe, and all I heard were short, nasaly puffs of breath. Ava fell asleep on my shoulder and for 50 minutes I sat, held his hand and rubbed his back. Pondering and praying, I wondered how long Dad would live this way. He hated the care center and wanted to return home. I hated seeing him this way, yet I didn't want him to go. The truth is I wanted my Dad back. The vibrant larger than life man I called Dad