The Outsider - Part 15 - April 2009

April 2009.  The “old man” became very ill.  The sister’s were between hospital and his home.  One week he was in hospital, then he would be discharged, then back to hospital.  Numerous tests were done … gall bladder, liver, pancreas … what it actually was, was never conclusive … the sister’s were just told to make him as comfortable as possible and let him live his life as he wished … if he wanted a big meal … give it to him … if he wanted a beer … give it to him.  He was discharged again and at home … he was at home for a week but everyday became worse … The third eldest sister was eventually called to come home as the father was going down hill.  Finally all four sister’s together.  United.  Going to the hospital every day, taking turns to visit the old man and sometimes going together.  Then there came the day they were all together around the “old man’s” bed.  The “new” woman was there with her daughter.  Her daughter standing at the foot of the bed so he could look at her directly.  All his daughter’s on each side of the bed.  And then he spoke … looked directly at the “new” woman’s daughter (still referred to the “new” woman even though she had by then been a part of his life for about 8 or 9 years) his word’s were directly at her …mentioning her name and then saying “You know how much I love you” … she replied that she did … everyone else waiting for him to say more … he did not say anything further … Again, there she stood in utter disbelief … all his daughter’s were there around his bed but he did not tell them that he loved them … never had in all his life …The older daughter’s were all acknowledged during his time in the hospital … he would greet them and ask how they were … all she got was a curt “hello” and nothing more but ice cold stares … and yet she still came to visit him … They finally got the call to come … he was on his way out … they were there from 06:00 in the morning … all day around his bed …in the late afternoon the eldest grandson came to pay his respects and then left again… they stayed into the evening … by 20:00 they were exhausted and told the Nurse they were going home and would return in the morning.  At 21:30 that same evening on 1 May 2009, the Nurse called to say he had taken his final breath….