Crossing the bar

My brother-in-law Dale died today. I hope he is better off. That's what people say. "He's better off." I don't usually like to hear it, but it might be true of Dale. He had suffered from Alzheimer's disease for several years and so was less and less the man we knew and loved. Hard on all who knew him. I don't know how hard on him, but I suspect it was not easy.

Last week he had a huge stroke which left him unable to speak or walk or swallow. Recovery was not possible. So, in this case, he is likely better off.

For the last few days he had mostly slept. He was at home. This afternoon the hospice nurse had bathed him, combed his hair, dressed him in clean garments, and he was sleeping peacefully. He died without waking. Died peacefully. His family was there, most of them, and I think that is the best way to die--quietly, all clean, family around to say good bye.

Still, I am sad. That's to be expected, too.