My mother passed away yesterday evening in the hospice. My father, my wife, and I were in attendance at the time. Her last couple of days were so hard, that it's truly a relief to see her at peace at last. Now, the focus turns to my father. We need to keep him busy, and engaged, and dealing with the outside world. He has hobbies and interests and friends, and we're hopeful that he'll occupy his time and some of his thoughts with that. Several family members came into town already to see my Mom before she died in the hospice, and they'll be staying for the funeral, with others arriving this weekend, too. It will be good for my father to have relatives around.

It's the first time I ever watched anyone die. The staff in the hospice was caring and supportive all the way, not just towards my Mom, but towards the family as well.

My wife held me as I cried. My father didn't want to let himself cry. He gave her a final tender kiss on the cheek before he left, looked quite teary, but didn't let loose. I hope he did when he went home.

My wife and I left after thanking the staff, making a few phone calls, and then stopped on the way home at White Castle for a light, unthoughtful and unnutritious late dinner on the way home. Sometimes, that's just what you need.