February was a hard month for our family. It started with my father in law collapsing early in the morning on Sunday the 7th from what we later learn is a massive stroke. Then the chiefs getting cheated losing the superbowl made for a terrible day that day. Lloyd was initially in ICU at NRMC, then transferred to Boone and finally to the VA. No visitors allowed due to COVID so we all just continued with our daily lives as best we could with Travis and his mom and sisters managing his care over the phone as best they could.
School continued for the boys and me. We had a fun Valentine's Day Party with our co-op friends at the Boyer Event Center in Memphis. It was so much fun and a nice break for the boys to take their minds off their pappy being sick in the hospital.
The weather was horrible the whole month. It was bitter cold. BITTER COLD. Sub zero temps. So much snow and ice. Terrible road conditions. It just plain sucked. It matched how things were feeling in our life at that time perfectly. Sucky. Travis, his sisters and their mom went down on February 15 to see their dad as they were given a grim prognosis. The decision was made to extubate and go comfort care with the plan to extubate on Wednesday. He came home that night in a snow storm. The roads were horrible so he decided to take the gravel home to avoid traffic and get off the slick highway. The gravel was mostly clear until it wasn't. It blew shut and he got the explorer stuck. It was 1230am. I woke Noah and had him lay with Abel and be there for his brothers while I left to go help Travis. The roads were slick and I was terrified. White knuckle driving the whole way, but I made it. We tried to get the explorer out, but ended up getting the truck stuck too. Talk about a nightmare. We called his sister Alicia and she and his other sister Miss came to our rescue with shovels. We all worked together and managed to free both vehicles. We all left and by the grace of God all arrived to our destinations safely. Terrible, horrible, no good, very bad night.
Here's a happier picture and note. My sweet Isaac drawing a picture from a story we read.
Lloyd was extubated on Wednesday the 17th. Doctor's didn't expect him to make through the next hour. He never did wake up again, but he lingered for several days after that. They kept him comfortable and he took his last breath on February 23. This picture is an old one, but one of my favorites. This was after Noah was born. His first grandson. You can just see the pride beaming from his face. I love this picture. His health had failed him greatly the last 5 years or so. Memories like these are the ones I like to think about.
We all gathered at Alicia's house the next day to just be together and make arrangement decisions and share memories. Kimmy is giving uncle TJ some snuggles. I think he needed them more than she did for sure.
Granny and Miss came over to visit and play games and just spend time together.
Life is short and we are not promised tomorrow. Love your people well.
