Dad's final day with us

My day started with a phonecall from my dad's caretaker that he's in ICU and not to let mom know. After minding the kids, i left them in my in-law's care and rushed off to the hospital. His stats was stabilised, heavily sedated with the ventilator attached, and there were tubes everywhere. My eldest brother has gone back to KL. After an hour or two, i left for home as there was nothing much that i can do there. Dropped by my sis' house to check on my mom. She doesnt know what happened this noon. Told her everything's fine and dad's resting.

At around 8pm, my sis called to inform me that dad's taking a turn for the worse and we're to go to the hospital immediately. We made a decision that mom's to be there by his side. I drove. When i arrived, i ran up the flight of stairs like mad as his caretaker told me the doctor needed a family member to sign some dunno what papers. I was so scared that i might not get to see him. In fact, i was so afraid that he might have left alone, with none of us by his side. I stood by him and told him all the time that everyone is on the way to see him. Dad waited. Mom arrived soon after together with my sis.

When my mom spoke to him, we can see dad responding as his heartbeat went erratic up to 170. His eyelids can no longer open but when we pushed it back, we can see that he's trying his best to focus. My eldest brother was on his way back here from KL with his kid. After some time, we were told to wait outside at the lounge as it's getting late and we went out. My eldest sis was inside to accompany dad and to chant prayers. I know dad's waiting for my eldest brother to be by his side. Soon after my eldest brother arrive with his kid, dad's heartbeat went down to 70. My eldest sis came out to inform us that he's very calm.

I guess to him, his life is somehow complete. He has mom and all five of us by his side during his final moments here. The doctors and nurses did what they had to do to resuscitate him and seeked our consent to have him off the ventilator. We told mom about it and we're all ready to let him go on his journey to another world. In all, there were a lot of tears flowing silently for the man we all love. We have to stay strong together as a family and to provide 100% support to our mom. I know it's difficult to let go. How to? 50 odd years is one hell of a long time to be together, with the man you love, dont you think so?

We can see that dad left comfortably. No signs of pain whatsoever. I went with both my brothers to the funeral service to select his suit and coffin, and to make all the necessary arrangements. By the time i got home, it's already 2am+. Kids were asleep. I laid in bed but was shivering under the sheets the whole time until my sis called to say i have to be home by 5am to "receive" dad. I took a gulp of ginseng wine and went back home. On the way home, the roads were wet. The Gods must have cleaned the roads for my dad's journey back home. The funeral service people were there doing the setting up for the ritual for tonight. After a round of prayers, i'm now home to rest. Till sun up.....