Thank you for everything...

A week has passed since my father died, and sadly, life goes on without him. We had such a great turn out for the visitation and the service...over 600 people altogether. The turn out for the golf outing was great too, as you can see by the picture.

We hope you know how much we have appreciated all your cards, phone calls, emails and hugs. They will get us through the bad days. We plan to print this blog and make some sort of book out of it...a remembrance of the struggle and heartache, but more importantly, the support of family and community.

I may not post to this blog again, but it will remain up and active if anyone wants to leave a memory about a great man.

Tee Time Tribute

Many of you know Les loved playing golf and had a standing tee time with several close friends every Thursday at 5:07pm. As a way to honor his love of the game, we are extending an invitation to pay tribute to Les at the Country Club on Thursday afternoon. Please join us at the Ashland Country Club at 4:45pm, Thursday, August 20th. Everyone will be given a golf ball and a sharpie to write your name on it. Beginning at 5:07, everyone will have an opportunity to tee it up for Les and drive the ball down the fareway (or rough, in my case). Once everyone has had their turn, the golf balls will be collected and given to Mom. So, please consider joining us for this Tee Time Tribute to a man who loved the game. Thanks!

Information on Services

Thank you so much for the wonderful comments on the blog today. They are treasured and I know we'll continue to read them over and over as the days/weeks go by.

These are the arrangements we've done so far... The visitation will be held at Marcy Mortuary (104 N. 15th) from 5pm - 8pm on Wednesday, August 19th. The funeral services will be held at American Lutheran Church (1941 Silver Street) on Thursday, August 20, at 10:30am. A luncheon will follow at the VFW Club (102 S. 24th) after the visit to the cemetery.

Mom seems to be doing okay and we continue to be very well fed and supported. Thanks for checking in for details and we hope to see you to celebrate the life of a great man.

17 Lives On

It is with mixed emotions that I write this...a heavy heart and one that is filled with joy. My father, Leslie Paul, is in a better place. At 3:05 on August 17th, Les took his final breath with Mom, Natalie and I holding his hands. There was no pain, just a last breath during a prayer Natalie was giving.

On the 17th. So many people predicted it would be today. For those of you that don't know the story of 17 with Mom and Dad, here is brief rundown... Les was born on June 17th. Carolyn's birthday is April 17th. Their first official date was on August 17th - 51 years ago today. They got engaged on October 17, and married on April 17th. 17 has shown up in their lives in license plates, addresses, football jerseys, etc. Les knew Mom was a "numbers person" and this would make a fantastic ending to a wonderful story.

There are no plans made at this time. We ask that you remember Les with a smile, as he was so quick to give one to other people.

Update 2...

Les continues to prepare for his new adventure. His pulse is down to 60 and his respirations are down as well. We've had lots of visitors today and Mom says she is more at peace today. We are thankful for all the visitors, phone calls, and food. We appreciate your positive thoughts and prayers.

Update...

After a shower and a nap, I can write a little more. Les remains the same. They've stopped taking his blood pressure and pulse oxidation since they are undetectable. His pulse is faint and fast...sometimes up between 120 - 140 beats per minute. They continue to give the morphine regularly, so he is not restless or in any pain. His fever comes and goes; it is currently 101˚F.

Obviously, the timetable the nurses initially thought was off. They think because he is so young, his heart is just not ready to give up. (It's all that chicken Mom made him eat all those years after his stints!) His body is showing some signs of shutting down, but again, it is all up to God.

Mom is very emotional, as expected. Last night she got about 2 hours of sleep in addition to her one the night before. We did get her to go home and take a shower, so I think she feels better. Nat and I have left the husbands to take care of the kiddos and all the wonderful food that our friends and family have brought over. We are continually stuffed! :)

Visitors are welcome...especially if you go to my house and eat some delicious food! We've said our goodbyes many times, so if you'd like to come and say yours, please feel free.

Thank you one more time, for the outpouring of love and support you've shown our family. God Bless.

His fight continues...

Les continues to be with us. Nothing has changed, other than now we are even more exhausted. More when something changes.