I thank God for his deep faith and I know that will bring him through, and it will support you as you watch him make this final journey to become more whole and hale than he has ever been in his life. I know he is a godly man with a strong intellect and a deep love for you and his family and for the Church of Jesus Christ. It has been lovely to meet him and see that faith in his face and in his actions. It is very difficult to say goodbye, but I often feel the envy of knowing how wonderful it must be for people whose parents have loved Jesus as faithfully as yours did, to know that he is just walking through a door into Life everlasting. I remember reading that Billy Graham said: "Some day you will hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don't you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive then than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.” And so it will be with your Dad. I understand the shock you and the others feel, and the disappointment that care is not what it should be in an overstretched health system, but your Dad is making his final journey. The little bit of time he is experiencing now, is just his thorough and careful ’turning off of the lights, locking the door,’ and all the other things he used to do before he went to bed throughout his adult years. For many people, the process of dying takes work and concentration, just as it does in the birthing process. He is concentrating on dying well, as he has lived so well. I have tears for you all as I write this, because I know what it feels like, but do not be afraid of losing your Dad. He will be with you as long as your heart holds all the wisdom and courage and strength that he passed onto you and your children throughout his life. Surrender him to the Lord, who is always good, and focus your time on loving him well through this last part of his journey. He is not afraid. No one else need be either. Father, in Jesus’ name, I pray for this family as they go through this painful time of letting go of this man who has loved them so well. Thank you that the loss is so severe, because were it less so, it would mean that he loved less. Thank you that when so many people experience dreadful pain with their parents, Martin and his siblings, and Bev and the children, have experienced life and joy and faith through their relationship with him. Cause his passing to be easy, not traumatic, for him or for his family. Help him just walk through that beautiful open door which we who remain cannot yet see, into your presence, and into life everlasting, in a place where there is no such thing as cancer, or pain, or loss. Let the grief of this family’s loss be joyful grief as they release the hero who will be welcomed Home into Your Presence. Bless this family in the dying and in the living, in Jesus’ name, Amen. My heart is pained for you, my friend. Emmanuel. xxx