Until that time…

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Personal Stories

Whenever we’d say goodbye, he’d say, “Until that time…”

The call came at 2:16 am in the wee hours of Halloween. Our beloved dad and father-in-law took his last breath at 2:05. After being on hospice for three months, his body slowly declining, the suffering lingered.

Until that time when it was the right time for him…when his soul ascended to join the other spirits of Allhallows Eve.

He lived to be 100 years old! And he was a great man with a gentle heart. As much as the tears will come, we are comforted knowing that he is at peace and no longer in need of morphine. There is a whole host of family where he’s headed now, so he will be welcomed with open arms and reunited with loved ones who have been missed.

So, we are going to allow the feelings of sadness and grief to be felt. We will find comfort in precious memories. But most importantly, we will honor and celebrate this wonderful man who lived for over a century.

Our daughter and son visiting Grandpa in March of 2019.

I remember a poem that is written by my lovely friend, Selma Martin. It’s one of many that stood out from her beautiful poetry book, In the Shadow of Rainbows. After reading her words again, out loud for my husband to hear, we both agreed that this poem is perfect for his dad:

When Death Comes

When death comes
I don’t want to look back
lovelorn, empty, frightened
– Oh, no!
When death comes
I want to be led into eternity
curious, full of joy
knowing the world I leave
is better for the love I gave.

© Selma Martin

These words are my father-in-law. He was loving, nonjudgemental, a social butterfly, and his heart was full of joy! His life was not devoid of heartache and loss, but he always moved forward in the direction the silver lining guided him.

Thank you, Selma, for this profound poem that resonates with our family at this time. 🙏🏻

Thank you, Dad, for the love you gave. We were fortunate to have you as our father. You will always be in our hearts. ❤️

Until that time…when we will meet again…we love you! ❤️

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.

105 thoughts on “Until that time…”

  4. Lauren my friend, I offer my sincere condolences to you and your sweet family. To have completed a century is quite an achievement—I can only imagine the many lives he touched.
    And I feel he was an insightful human being. “Until that time…” these words travel deep. You guys are the lucky ones for having had him so close.
    As for me, I’m speechless. The words were written for souls that needed those words. I’m so happy to know how they resonated with you. That is your Dad’s poem. I was just a conduit who managed to get the words out in print.
    So happy to know that poem found residence in your home.
    Be well, sweet Lauren. The pain of the loss is an indication of the loveliness you carry inside already.
    Be well, sweet Lauren. I bless you and your lovely family. ((Hugs))

    1. Thanks for your beautiful words, Selma. My husband was fine with me doing a post to honor his father, and your poem came to mind right away. It is perfect. We are okay. There will be waves of emotion, but there will also be celebration. A century? Can you imagine? Hugs to you, my friend, and thanks again. xoxo

    1. Thanks so much, John, and those memories will carry us through the grieving until time heals. We are thankful that he is no longer suffering at 100 years old. But loss is loss, so tears have fallen and there will be more to come. ❤️

  8. Please accept my condolences on the loss of your father-in-law, Lauren. It it is clear to see he was well-loved. How fortunate you are to have Selma’s poem of comfort as you grieve.

  17. I have tears dear Lauren as I read your wonderful tribute to your Father in Law… What a wonderful Soul he was… And those words of his, So, so, profound..
    My heart goes out to your family in this sad time of your loss…
    Heaven has gained a beautiful Soul on the day the veils thinned between divides..

    My heartfelt love and condolences to you and your family dear Lauren..
    no need to answer…
    Much love xx ❤ xx

    1. Thanks dear Sue for your beautiful and loving words. Know they are greatly appreciated. It’s bittersweet because grief is upon us, but he was suffering, and that is over for which we are grateful. He’s the last of our parents to pass, which is also surreal. The finality of it all. Waves of emotion come and go…love and hugs to you, my friend. ❤️🙏🏻

    1. Thanks very much, Carol, and I appreciate your kindness about Selma’s poem. It came to mind immediately when I was writing this post, and I think it’s perfect. He really was a fine man and father and he will be missed by many. Now we have no parents living and that is so surreal. It’s so final, you know? 🩷🙏🏻

  19. I’m so sorry, my dearest friend. He will always be in your hearts. Selma’s poem is so moving. He definitely left the world a better place. Sending you all my thoughts and love.

    1. Thanks for your loving words, Marina. And it’s really amazing how Selma’s poem came to mind when I was working on this post. As much as I’ve been writing poems during this time, the words didn’t come for his passing. So I love her poem that is perfect. Love and hugs to you for being such a wonderful friend. xoxo

  22. I’m very sorry to learn of your family’s loss, Lauren. My sincere condolences to you and yours. It sounds as though your father-in-law was someone we all should aspire to be: kind, loving, nonjudgmental, joyful…and how wonderful it is that he was able to share these attributes with others over a century’s lifetime! Your tribute to him–and Selma’s beautiful verse–resonate with the love you hold for this fellow. All the best to you and your family as you grieve and heal, my friend. You’re all in my heart and prayers.

    1. Thanks so much, Mike, for your loving words. One of his old friends told my husband that Wil was the finest man he ever knew. He really was a kind man and a loving father. We’re glad he’s not suffering, and reaching 100, he wasn’t going to rebound, so his passing is a blessing. But it’s so final and he’s the last of our parents to pass which is even more surreal. Waves of emotions come and go. Thanks again for your compassion and prayers. ❤️🙏🏻

  23. A long life blessed with a loving family. Wonderful that you and your family had three months to prepare for his parting. Joining others in sending thoughts and love to you and your family. 💐💞

  25. Dear Lauren,

    Deepest condolences from my sweety and me to you, your husband and family on this huge loss. While you’ve indicated it’s been coming for a while, it no doubt has elements of shock in the complicated web that grief has been weaving.

    You have shared many beautiful memories of your father-in-law; may these be a salve as you navigate life without his gentle, loving, earthly presence.

    Much love and many blessings. 💙

    1. Steve, your words are comforting during this time, so thank you very much. His passing his a relief because of his decline and existence in life rather than living life. But we’re grateful for the time he gave us to prepare. He’s also our last parent to pass, so that in itself is surreal and takes processing. The finality of it all…Thanks again to you both. ❤️🙏🏻

      1. You’re so welcome, Lauren. Yes, the passing of the last of our parents is a very significant point in life. Quite surreal indeed. Finality, yes…

        It’s fortunate that you had a chance to prepare for the transition. Take good care and be gentle with yourselves. ❤️🙏🏼

  27. D.L. Finn, Author's avatar D.L. Finn, Author

    So sorry for your and your family’s loss, Lauren. What a perfect poem to find comfort in. Hugs xo

    1. Thanks so much, Denise. Like your book and a few others, Selma’s book is on my coffee table, and this poem popped into my mind quickly when I began writing this post. I’m glad you agree that it’s perfect. I appreciate your kind words and hugs. ❤️🙏🏻

  28. He had a hundred years to share his unique gifts and perspectives with our world. It sounds like he was a man who loved life, looked at glass as half full, and cherished the people he encountered. How lucky to have had him in your life. I’m sending waves of love your way, I’m sorry for your loss, and holding you all gently in prayer. Much love to you and the family, hugs, C

    1. You said it so well, Cheryl. His decline was hard to witness, but we’re glad he’s not suffering anymore. We were lucky to have him in our lives, and now we have photos and memories to carry us through as we move forward. Thanks for your love and hugs, my friend. 🩷🙏🏻

  30. Wonderful sentiments, Lauren.
    My deepest condolences to you and your family!
    Yes, his life is to be celebrated, and Selma’s poem says it perfectly.
    Sending hugs and love!

  31. My condolences Lauren! What a beautiful tribute. I can think of few things better than to be called loving and full of joy. “His life was not devoid of heartache and loss, but he always moved forward in the direction the silver lining guided him.” Love Selma’s thoughtful poem too. Wow. Thank you for sharing and peace to your family and you. ❤️

    1. Thanks for your kind and wonderful comment, Brian. I appreciate your sentiments as well. And I’m glad you agree with me about Selma’s poem. It is perfect for Wil. He was loving and full of joy, always viewing the glass as half full, and now our memories will carry us through…❤️🙏🏻

  32. Much love to you and Matt, your children and all the family as you grieve the loss of your father in law. His spirit lives on through you. I love the picture. Selma’s beautiful poem is a testament of his life and what a life it was!
    💕🙏💕

    1. Thanks so much, Cindy, for your beautiful words. My family appreciates them, and we love that photo too – taken at the young age of 95 when he was still so active. I know Selma would appreciate your lovely words about her poem too. It just came to mind when I began writing this post. Thanks again. Hugs 🩷🙏🏻

  37. Sending much love sweet Lauren to you and your family. We are never really ready to see loved ones go. And there’s always a time for tears and recollection of the sweetest moments behind.
    May your father-in-law rest in peace and find its way towards all the ones gone and rejoicing seeing him joining the circle.
    I love this poem you shared – feel like it’s been written just for him.
    Take care ❤️

  38. From my heart to yours Lauren. I’m so very sorry for your loss. You’ve written a most moving tribute for your father-in-law. Sending healing hugs your way. ❤ xx

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