I got to the hospital about 5 p.m. on Nov. 11, 2019. He was in semi-good spirits. He could still talk coherently and clearly.
I spent Monday night at my folks house, by myself. Talk about horrible. I left the hospital around 10 p.m. and I locked myself in one of the bedrooms of their house and turned on any alarm I could find. I had all the exterior lights on. I’d never been there by myself before. I knew my Dad was dying but he was everywhere in my mind and memories of him being in their home. And here I was by myself.
My Dad was a rambler at night. Just like me. A night owl. Many times I thought I could hear him puttering through the house. You’re mind just plays tricks, ya know.
Tuesday morning I walked into the hospital room and he was raised up in the bed (by the beds assistance, not on his own), lying there!
I said, “Well, you’re all spry today!” He grinned. He could talk, eat, and laugh. The PT folks actually got him standing up only because he was willing and the willpower he had! He absolutely had willpower! My Dad had more willpower than anyone I know.
Tuesday morning, Nov 12, 2019 my Dad was still laughing at my silly life experiences. Laughing at my silly jokes. Laying his head back on his pillow with a big grin, with me in his face. One of the last things he clearly said to me – in not as many words – “Keep on doing what you’re doing as long as you can… I waited too long.” Then, as I leaned closer, he told me he loved me.
My two children came from Charlotte, NC to Knoxville, TN later in the afternoon on Tuesday, Nov 12, 2019. I left Tuesday, Nov 12, 2019 to go back to Spartanburg, SC, following the kids back across the Great Smokie Mtn’s and there were a handful of faithful friends that came to Knoxville, TN. I would like to say Thank you to all of them.
In the end, my Dad died peacefully, James S. Byars November 16, 2019.
(I have footage of a video of him seeing our MotorCoach for the first time in June 2019, but I can’t bring myself to watch it yet…. maybe one day….) I kinda jokingly threatened him with, “You know I’m putting this on the blog and Facebook.” He would just laugh and say, “I don’t care, do it.”
I can’t watch the video just yet, but here’s a still picture.
Rest in Peace Daddy…. I love you and miss you terribly.
We spent a week after my Dad’s death in Knoxville, TN so I could be with my Mom and Brother’s family. Then we moved back to Monroe, NC to spend Thanksgiving with the kids.