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Monday, December 21, 2009

Prayer Covering

It is so obvious that going through this very difficult time that what is carrying me is the Lord and the prayers of MANY!

These days I find myself somewhat numb and the nights are so very difficult. My brother and I have had the night shift for the last two weeks. We would administer medicine, assist with the necessary bathroom duties but in the end it was really just watching/listening to Daddy breath and giving him his medicine. I would lay up on his hospital bed (we had one delivered here in his home) and snuggle him, praying over him or just talking to him knowing he could hear me but wasn't able to respond.

Our kids arrived on Saturday afternoon. It was Rylees 1st birthday and she flew all the way to Florida to be here and we had a birthday party that night ♥ she brings so much joy and laughter. Having my kids here and in my arms has been such a gift. My Nana decided to return home, so she flew back last Thursday. I asked my husband if he would please stay here~ that I just couldn't do this without him and he said he wouldn't be anywhere else but here with me. I was so thankful to have my husband here by my side when Daddy went to be with the Lord.

Our days are filled with memories and doing things "in honor" of Daddy ~ making fish tacos, having chips and salsa, putting up his new addition of Christmas lights....yes there is still room to add more :), eating at his favorite Sushi restaurant, spending time with his horses or riding in his truck where he rode just a few days ago. I am so thankful to be here ~ In his home filled with all things DAD ♥ and to be surrounded by family has been such a gift.

I also wanted to share my Daddy's obituary written by my brother. Again he has done a phenomenal job and honored dad in such an awesome way. I am so very proud of him.


Obituary: Douglas William Woods -- May 9, 1947 - Dec. 18, 2009

Douglas William Woods, of St. Augustine, passed away Dec. 18, 2009, at the age of 62.

He lost his life fighting a courageous battle against lung cancer. He was born in Joplin, Mo., on May 9, 1947, to Dorene and Robert Woods and is survived by his wife, Barbara Woods, of the home; his mother, Dorene Woods, of Carthage, Mo.; a daughter, Loren McGhee, and son, Tony Woods, both of Owasso, Okla.; a brother, Rob Woods, of Huntington Beach, Calif.; five grandchildren, Krista Hodge, of Bixby, Okla., Jenna and Jantzen McGhee, of Owasso, and Bailey and Britney Woods, of Owasso; one great-grandchild, Rylee Hodge, of Bixby; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Since January 2002, Doug held the position of chief information officer at EverBank Financial Corp. In this role, he managed more than 120 employees and successfully guided the financial corporation's technology infrastructure to handle its high growth during the past decade. His colleagues speak highly of his professionalism, devotion to his employees and passion for community outreach. During the last six months, he was an enthusiastic advocate for EverBank's Fast Path Program, which mentors at-risk teens in the Jacksonville inner city.
Doug handled his battle with lung cancer in the same manner in which he approached everything in his life: with courage, respect, unending kindness and unrelenting optimism. He never gave up. In the end, it was not cancer that beat him but pneumonia. When presented with treatment options, Doug's comment to his physicians was one of profound surprise that these options were no different from those presented to his father 25 years ago. If you would like to honor Doug's passing, please do so by contributing to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation, whose mission is to support national research studies and activities focused on developing innovative strategies for better treatments, screening and prevention of all cancers of the lung. New knowledge gained by funding scientific and clinical research initiatives will lead to more positive outcomes and improved quality of life for all lung cancer patients.
To donate, with checks payable to Lung Cancer Research Foundation, write to Lung Cancer Research Foundation, 800 Third Ave. Fourth Floor, New York, N.Y. 10022
If you would like to pay your respects to Doug and his family, a gathering and funeral services will take place at Craig Funeral Home, 1475 Old Dixie Highway, St. Augustine, on Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Dec. 22 at 2 p.m.



Later today we will be receiving Friends, Coworkers, Neighbors, and others who knew and loved my Daddy. It will be hard but yet wonderful hearing from so many how my Dad has impacted their lives and then on Tuesday will be the Funeral.
I love and appreciate you ALL so VERY VERY MUCH! Your prayers TRULY are carrying me each and every day. From the bottom of my heart..... THANK YOU

19 comments:

Thena

Loren, I am so sorry, words can't express. I've been gone most of the weekend. And I knew I wanted to check on you this morning. Continually praying for you and your family. The Lord will give you strength, and comfort. Just knowing that he made everything right with the Lord is such a relief.

LisaShaw

Sweetie, I came online to check on you and to tell you again that I'm praying for you and your family. Beautiful tribute to your Dad....

Love you.

Kathleen

I'm so very sorry, Loren, to hear of your loss. I know you're strengthened by the love of many family & friends, and the very touch of God. I also understand only too well the bigger picture of grasping the reality of a beloved Daddy now out of view.

Praying for you and your entire family.

Kathleen

P.S. The obit was wonderful.

Kim @ Homesteader's Heart

Know that I love you my friend. I'm wrapping my arms around you and giving you a Kim size hug from the east coast!

And your brother did a fabulous job writing the obituary.

Andrea

Your brother did a phenomenal job writing your Dad's obituary. I am thankful Tony is able to stay with you.

Don't forget to climb into your Heavenly Father's arms and let lose....HE is there for you.

Much love, hugs, and prayers, andrea

Debbie

Loren I am so glad that you have been able to spend this time surrounded by family and loved ones and that your husband has been there for you in such a comforting way. The obituary was wonderful. What an obvious great man your daddy was. I will continue to pray that you feel the mighty arms of our Savior around you at this time, bringing you both comfort and peace.

Hugs and love to you,
Debbie

He & Me + 3

What a nice obituary. Handsome picture too. I think that is an awesome way to honor him by donating to lung cancer research. Prayers are being said for you and your family.
Hugs,
Mimi

RCUBEs

Sister Loren, thank you for taking the time to share your heart. It's never easy for us who are left behind. But I'm glad that you have all those wonderful memories you shared with your dad. Praying that these memories will comfort you all always. Your dad's life didn't end. It just STARTED. Keeping you in prayers sister. God bless and I want to greet you Merry Christmas anyway because there are so many reasons worth celebrating for, because of the Lord...And how bro. Ron's journey was not lost to cancer. And how many lives he encouraged with his strength and determination to live, despite this illness. And in the end, how he surprised you that the Lord found him many, many times...

Take good care of yourself. Love you in Christ.

christy rose

Loren,
I have been praying for you and your family these last days. Comfort and joy!

This obituary that your brother wrote was beautifully done. What an honor to your dad.

I am so glad that you have all of your family with you at this time. God bless you all through this time.
Love,
Christy

Barbie

I've been praying hard for you sweet one. Thank you for updating. I am praying God will give you all many joyous moments of laughter and smiles as you reflect upon your daddy today!

Heart2Heart

Loren,

Just knowing that you will see your dad again, I know is what is giving you that comfort and strength you need. I am so glad that you made the decision to leave earlier than you had planned to spend these final days with your dad. I know without a doubt he knew just how much you all loved him so much by all you did, and continue to do. I can only imagine that now he is sitting alongside our Lord and Savior sharing in some home made chips and salsa knowing that in what will be a brief moment in time, he will be reunited with all of you once again. This time, it will be forever, no more tears, no more suffering, no more pain and no more separation.

I am here if you need me and wanted to give you this time with your family. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you! Until then I am asking God to send along little reminders of love for you and what wonderful plans He has in store for you.

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Denise

Such a precious tribute to your dear dad. I love you so much sweetie, keeping you very much in my prayers.

Steph T.

WOW! Sounds like such an great man! Lived a full life! So glad you have your family there with you. We are praying for you.
Blessings,
Steph

Beth E.

What a wonderful man, and what a beautiful tribute! He's left quite a legacy.

Praying for you and your family, Loren.

Hugs,
Beth

Musings of A Minister

STILL PRAYING!!

COUNTRY MOM

Loren, I am so very sorry for your loss. I know the hurt and pain. I miss my Daddy so much also. I can hardly type to you, I love you and have prayed so many prayers and will continue to do so. You can never have to many prayers. What a nice obituary written by your brother. I am glad you are surrounded by your family. I know all about wanting to be around "Daddy Stuff". I am truly sorry Loren. Love you and many Thoughts and Prayers. Audrey

Warren Baldwin

Lisa is right, this is a great tribute to your dad. Our hearts go out to you and your whole family. God bless you, and we pray a special measure of his presence with you this holiday season. wb

RCUBEs

Just passing by to wish you a Merry Christmas anyway sister Loren. May God's comfort, healing and love and grace cover you all!!! Love and blessings to you.

Debbie Petras

Loren, I am so glad that you had the opportunity to be there with your dad. Oh my, he really was quite young! The obituary was such a tribute to your father. Please know that your sisters in Christ have been praying. May you be comforted by His presence with you during this difficult time.

Love and hugs,
Debbie

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