My Soulmate Has Passed Away

4/19/04 | Wait4Truth

[Wait4Truth]

I need my freeper friends. I haven't been posting a lot because I have been caring for my very ill soulmate of 31 years. Jerry had emphysema, congestive heart failure and COPD and had been going downhill for the past couple of years. He was the love of my life. We were married in 1972 - I was 17 years younger than him. He taught me so much...he was a husband, father of our wonderful son, best friend, tutor, and soulmate. He was the most thoughtful man I have ever known. On my birthday, he would tell me what kind of clothes to wear but would never tell me where we were going - there were many wonderful surprises.

When our son was a little boy, he told us he wanted to be a firefighter. His proud dad would spent many nights chasing fire engines with him until the wee small hours of the morning. That son is now a firefighter/paramedic and assistant fire-chief. Even when he was starting to get sicker, he would still go out shopping and bring the newest pro-Bush book home for me as a surprise. I could go on and on about all the lives he touched and all the loving things he did for so many.

Just before Easter, he was having a great deal of trouble breathing so we called 911 and took him to the emergency room. He was admitted to the intensive care unit and was having a great deal of trouble for the first 4 days. Then he seemed to turn the corner and the doctors and nurses thought he was out of the woods. We began talking about him coming home. Three days later, I received a call from the hospital telling me I needed to come right away. When I got there, it was too late..in fact, it was too late when they made the call to me. His heart stopped in a matter of moments and after 30 minutes they stopped trying to revive him.

I am still in shock and I feel as though my heart and soul have been taken from me. I knew freepers would care so I knew where to come. Thank you for letting me share my feelings with all of you. God bless you all. Jerry was the kind of person everybody always wanted to be around - he was warm and loving, a football and basketball fan and a summertime pool-rat. He is also the man that made me a Republican. You guys all would have loved him...he said President Bush is going to win in a landslide. Anyway, I love you all. Jerry is with the Lord now and with his mom, dad and two brothers.

[nopardons]

Thanks for the sad ping.I've now written my post to Wait.

[Wait4Truth]

Yes, I do remember you..your name was so close to mine. I guess you can really relate to what I am feeling because you are still feeling a deep sense of loss. Mine is just newer. I am in a place right now where I feel like I can't go anywhere because EVERYWHERE reminds me of Jerry. We did almost everything together so I will have to force myself to go places alone...but not yet. He died three nights ago and I can't handle anything at the moment. I should try to go to sleep..even that is hard. I pray that you will feel better soon and thank you so much for writing what I know was a difficult post. It means a lot to me.

[potlatch]

I am so sorry for your loss and will pray for God to comfort you.

[ride the whirlwind]

So sorry for your loss of your husband.

That son is now a firefighter/paramedic and assistant fire-chief.

Your heroic son must make you very proud.

[Wait4Truth]

My son and I stayed with Jerry for about an hour. I told him over and over that I loved him and always would love him..that it was ok that he had to go because I knew he had been sick for so long..I kissed his forehead many times and held his hand as I spoke to him. My son also spoke to him and kissed him but I left the room so he could have a few minutes alone with his dad. I did hope his spirit was there in the room..I felt like it was.

I didn't know you couldn't stay overnight in the ICU. I never asked because I would come in the morning and stay about 10 hours. Then Jerry would send me home. How I wish I would have stayed that night. I am sorry about your father-in-law. Tell your husband that I know what he felt and I hope he is doing ok now. Or at least better.

[StarCMC]

Praying for you W4T! May Jerry enjoy his welcome home...and may you find peace. HUGS!

[Coroner]

God bless you!!

[Khurkris]

Thank You and May You and family be Blessed.

[samantha]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. He is no longer in pain,and he is being wrapped in wonderfully strong,loving arms. In your son (the fireman), he has a beautiful legacy. Many prayers will be sent your way,for you and your family. I am especially moved by other freepers who have had losses in their lives,but are reaching out to you,and to you (the trooper that you are) reaching back to console another bereaved. Lord,I thank you for making freepers the most wonderful people on the face of this earth.

[Wait4Truth]

Again, thank you all for being so wonderful. I must try to sleep a bit. I wish I could answer each and every one of you but right now I cannot. There are just too many great and caring people that have joined me on this thread. My heart is overflowing with friendship for all of you. I know I will talk with many of you in the near future. We also have a President to re-elect. Jerry really detested Kerry! (smile)

[YaYa123]

I'm just finding this thread, courtesy of an email alert from SuzanneC. I need a few minutes to believe this is so. Heartsick and so helpless is how I feel.

[PackerBoy]

I am very sorry for your loss.

How lucky you were to have found each other in this life.

May Jerry rest in peace until you two are reunited for eternity.

[Texas Mom]

I am so sorry for your loss. It does hurt I am sure but it sounds like you have some wonderful memories and a wonderful son there to help you in your grief.

God bless and give you comfort.

[Lancey Howard]

My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
May God bless Jerry and all of you.

[wardaddy]

God bless you dear. My wife told me about your loss when I got home tonight. Your words moved both of us. You had a fine marriage obviously.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

I'm so sorry, Sweetie. Prayer heavenward <><

[Dark Knight]

I'm just a cop, and have no urge to ever become a fire fighter, and I respect those guys a ton. It brought a tear to my eye to hear about when Jerry would take your son to follow his son's dream, and Jerry got to see his son complete that dream...he had to have been so proud, to know he had such a part in his son's dream.

Jerry was a man in a world that men are becoming rarer, and harder to be. God Bless him, and your family.

Dark Knight

[Southack]

I am truly sorry for your pain and loss.

[azGOPgal]

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[SAMWolf]

Prayers offered for Jerry and you.