Sometimes they need to hear from their children that “It’s okay mom - you can go. We love you and will miss you, but we’ll be okay. You can go.”
That what I told dad.
He had told both mom and I, separately, that he wanted to go home. I had to get clarity on what he meant, it was not back home to mom, but Home.
Soon he was back on a ventilator.
I told him what you told your mom, nearly word for word.
He passed shortly thereafter.
One of the ER nurses said it was the most peaceful passing she'd ever seen. I believe her, he didn't so much die as gently fade away.
WWII, China (shhh...), Korea, Vietnam. It's not just old soldiers who never, die but just fade away, Marines can do it too...