Posted on 05/20/2016 8:50:01 AM PDT by null and void
Mary Litwin.....Hey guys. Steve and Gerry and I met with the Social Services Doc at Flagler today, and she was so kind. It could have been a very difficult conversation, but that old fart know's his own mind, as well as anyone within listening distance all the time. The doctors agree that there is no chance that continued Life Support will get him any closer to ever coming off of the mechanically controlled assistance to live his life the way he wants to.They have assured me that he is not aware of what he is going through.
Today, I signed the papers to take him off of all forms of support. They will not be acted upon until his brother Ed can get there Saturday morning to say goodbye. If anyone wants to see him before then, I've instructed them to not limit visitation to just Family. He's the guy that taught me that Family is not solely based on a blood relationship. He is in MICU room 3057. When we let him go on Saturday, he will have his favorite camera with him. I'd take his cat and his guns too, but I think that would cause a level of drama that would seriously upset the natives, and while it would amuse the hell out of him, I don't think the rest of us would fare as well. That's one mean damned cat, just saying.
I want for him to wake up tomorrow, rip the tube out of his throat, and say "Go get me a burger and a chocolate shake. The food here sucks."
Yes, I am trying to add some levity to a really crappy situation. If you don't know my Daddy, it may seem flippant. I can assure you that it is not. My Army Drill Sarge was by no means the first person to ever tell me to "Suck it up, Buttercup. Drive On."
I will be posting this on his FB wall as well, so forgive me if you have to read it twice. Love to All.......this is from Mary Litwin Bob's daughter
Praying. If this is to be goodbye, may he have a beautiful passage to the next world.
My prayers for the family. I enjoyed Swampsniper’s photos immensely.
Love to this special soul who appears to be on his way home...barring some special grace that allows him to remain. May love and comfort surround him and his family and all his loved ones.
Prayers up. I have appreciated the many gorgeous images he captured with his camera and shared with all of us.
I”m so sorry. I loved his bird photos. May he be granted eternal rest with God, and my your family be comforted by warm memories and may they be held in the palm of God’s hand.
I posted on this prayer thread earlier today. Words seem to fail me at times like this. I have felt down all day and I have been searching for more words to say. Well, like so many others, I am sure going to miss this man.
I think that sometimes it’s what people do for complete strangers, even unwittingly, that can help keep the memory of a good man like Bob alive. Bob may pass away tomorrow, but his memory will live on.
This is complicated and I am not a writer, so I just hope this post will make sense.
In 2007 I was told I had perhaps 6 months to live if I didn’t have heart surgery. I went in for the surgery. I suffered a stroke during surgery and I contracted MRSA. My expected 6 day hospital stay turned into a painful 2 months stay and over a year of rehab.
During my stay in the hospital and the year that followed I spent my days on FR. Bob’s photos and posts always made me smile. His beautiful photography brightened my otherwise dark days. I have never met Bob, but this complete stranger made a difference during a very difficult time in my life.
My wife and I own 5 acres on our mountain on the Olympic Peninsula in the state of Washington. We have been here for about 35 years. We have planted many trees on this property. Every Christmas we bought live trees and planted them by New Years day. I have planted a tree each time a grandchild was born...that’s another 8 trees.
Before I went in for heart surgery, I sent my wife to buy a tree. She brought home a Redwood tree and planted it. It has grown and it is quite beautiful. It is very healthy and planted where it could live unmolested by our weather for a couple thousand years.
Today, I named that tree in memory of Swampsniper - Bob.
I know that my words can’t make things better, but I wanted Bob’s family to know that there is now a mighty Redwood tree, named in his honor, growing on a far away mountaintop.
God bless you Bob.
Dan
Make sure you see that one, Mary. It’s quite touching and a great memorial to your father. (Gator, thanks so much for sharing that.)
Prayers for swampsniper and his family. We loved him here at FR and will miss him.
BTTT
Thanks for sharing Nully When God knocks at our door ... Well, it’s time. Love and prayers for his family. (Someone better take n love - not tolerate- his fur child)
Being up here in Seattle, I always enjoyed his springtime photos of the birds with sunny weather and colorful backgrounds. It gave me hope that soon our grey skies would be clearing some day.
I pray that the Hope of Jesus Christ and an eternal life of doing the work that God desires using his special talents will bring you some comfort.
Prayers and hoping for the best.
This news is heartbreaking.
I guess the middle of the night is as good time as any to cry, and pray.
Godspeed Swamper. Always admired your photos.
Matt 18:20
So very true-
Prayer bump.
SWAMPSNIPER has been so very refreshing.
As fine a wildlife photographer as I’ve seen.
Always, always a straight shooter and a pleasure to communicate with.
Prayers for the families grief, but understand you sill see him again in Heaven.
GOD bless.
Lord, you can heal our friend and wake him.
If Your plan means he is promoted to Glory today, then we ask that Your Word above would not come back to You void, but will provide for an easy transition from Swampsniper.
In this life he served You and he served his nation, both honorably. Help his family to be strong and to take courage,and to seek Your face, in the hour of decision.
Amen.
Dang.
Prayers up.
I am so sorry to read this.
I am not one of the “Old-Timers” on FR, but I have come to love SWAMPSNIPER’s postings and wonderful wildlife photography. We had some great conversations about old cameras and about Florida.
My prayers for you all.
This makes me so sad. Prayers up for his family.
Prayers up. For us all.
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