ok, so my father passed away this morning at 9:08 am. my mother was with him, as the v.a. called her when the shift started to tell her that she had better come on if she wanted to be with him. she was there to hold his hand until the end. there is comfort in that small act- having someone be with you until the end. as for the rest of us- we have occupied the time since we got the call with busy work- ecw is raking leaves, and i am putting away the summer clothes and cleaning out closets. when in doubt- clean out...........he will be going directly to be cremated, as i understand it, and she will schedule a memorial aservice at her home church in ohio at some date ot be announced. this arrangement goes off the board in terms of timing- and we are left without any idea how to grieve.....be in prayer for us.