GOD'S GIFT TO OUR FAMILY

George was scheduled for a heart valve replacement. A friend of his was going to drive him to the hospital in the early morning hours on April 20. He told his wife to see him after the operation and to go back to sleep. He told his daughter, that he would be home in a few days and gave her a big hug.

He was optimistic about the outcome of the operation and was in good spirits.

When his wife arrived at the hospital later that morning, she was told that the operation was taking a little longer than expected.

When the operation was completed, the surgeon called her on a phone in the waiting room and told her that the operation was successful.

Little did she know at that time that 113 days later, her beloved husband would be dead. He never left the hospital. The nightmare of what transpired during those days is too difficult to write about.

George was a fighter and so he overcame one crisis after another. His sons who lived out of state wanted to visit him during this time, but he told them not to fly to New York since he would be coming home soon. He would see them when he was released from the hospital. He talked to them on the phone instead.

George Jr. who lived in California decided that in spite of what Dad was saying, he would take time from work and fly to New York.

After fighting a number of infections, the last one was too much for his body to recover from. One of the doctors called his wife and told her to hurry to the hospital because George would not last the night. She rushed to the hospital and prayed by her husbands' side. Prior to leaving for the hospital, she had her daughter call the Bishop of their diocese to alert him of this crisis.

Marie also called her brother, Joseph to alert him of this crisis. He made immediate flight arrangement to fly in from Michigan. His brother, George Jr. was already in flight from California.

The boys would have been devastated if their father had passed away without them being there and to say good-bye. Even though Dad told them not to visit in the hospital, the pain and sorrow of not seeing him one last time would have been difficult to bear.

George generously volunteered his time to good works all through his lifetime. He worked closely with their Bishop to help others.

Their Bishop was away but his secretary called him and he was able to get to the hospital. He prayed and prayed.

GEORGE DID NOT DIE THAT NIGHT.....................

Much to the amazement of his Doctor, it seemed as if he was going to recover.

The boys arrived in New York and the next day George's entire family was at his side. They laughed, they joked, they had a wonderful time interacting with their Dad. All was right with the world. This went on for several days.

Everyone thought that the crisis had passed and so the boys flew back home.

GEORGE DIED......his wife, daughter and grandson were at his side. They were in a state of shock.

When George's wife called their sons to tell them of their fathers' passing, they could not comprehend his death. He seemed fine.

George's wife is an extremely spiritual woman. She has a strong belief in God. Her faith has pulled her through numerous difficult times. She is the rock and strength of her family.

She simply told them that God had heard our Bishop's prayer and that the time they had to spend with their Dad was GOD'S GIFT TO OUR FAMILY......She did not have to say anything else. They understood.