an unexpected blessing, and pain

Kim and I loaded the kids into the van and headed to Bedford today. Her grandfather, Pap George, is in what looks to be the last days of his life. Kim and the girls got to see him Sunday, but Levi was sick, and couldn't visit. It meant a lot to Levi to get to say goodbye to Pap.

Pap is 87, and his health has gone steadily downhill over the past few weeks. Yesterday he fell asleep around 2 pm, and they couldn't wake him to give him his meds. We weren't even sure he'd hang on until we got there. But today was good.

Pap was in and out of sleep, but his mind is sharp. He can't talk much, but he knew everyone in the room. We had a good time of visiting with him.

Toward the late afternoon, Pap's doctor stopped in to see him. He talked to Pap, and asked a few questions:
George, are you in pain? Pap shook his head to say No.
George, you're not doing well. Do you understand that? head shake yes.
George, are you scared?

Pap swallowed, looked the doc in the eye, and said
Why should I be scared?

Our Pap loves Jesus, and knows that this life is only the warm up for eternity. I want to be so bold and confidant when my time comes. What a blessing to see Pap, even here at the end of things, so certain of his hope.