Page 63 of Loving Decker

When he pulled into the parking lot, many more cars were there than usual. And as he made his way in, he began to suspect everyone was up on Grandpa’s floor.

When the elevator door opened to a crowd of people lining the hallways, he knew he was correct.

He made his way through as best he could and at last arrived in Grandpa’s room, where he found Faith in a packed room.

She waved him in, and people made as much room as possible for him to get by.

Faith stood on one side of Grandpa, and the nurse stood on the other.

Decker wrapped his arms around Faith, and they just stood.

“It’s time.” She told the nurse. Then she turned to the crowd. “We are here to give Grandpa a chance to go home to God if he wants.”

The nodded. Everyone immediately started to wipe tears from their eyes.

“You are more than welcome to come say goodbye to him. I’ll stay on this side with Decker. You may all approach him on the other side.

The nurse then pushed some buttons, and one of the machines turned off. But the others that monitored his vitals continued.

Everyone watched.

Faith leaned forward and whispered something in Grandpa’s ear, and then his lips moved, and he smiled.

“I love you, Grandpa,” she said. “Thank you for the best life.”

His smile stayed as his heart rate slowed and was still.

Decker pulled her close and felt the wetness of her tears. She held on to Grandpa’s hand with one of her own. And they stood like that for two hours while the people of Willow Creek came to say goodbye.

At last, when the final person left, the nurse closed the door, and they were alone with Grandpa.

“He smiled.” Faith turned to Decker. “He smiled.”

“That was the coolest experience I’ve ever had. But, man, I miss him.”

“I do too.”

They sat together, watching his face. But they knew he was gone.

Then she lifted his sheets, pulled them up over his face, and left the room with Decker close at her side.

The funeral brought everyone together again plus many more.

And after, a smaller group ate together in the front room of the church.

“What a beautiful service.” Mrs. Dawson patted Faith’s hand. “You are a remarkable woman.”

“Oh, thank you. I still can’t believe that he’s gone.” She looked from one to the other of them. “I guess I should be feeling lonely now, being the last of the Willow Creek Haws left on earth. But I don’t. I feel so close to you all, I’m surrounded by love.” Her eyes teared up again.

“You certainly are. Don’t you be worrying about that one minute. You’re not alone in any way.” Mrs. Dawson nodded.

“I can’t thank you enough.”

The conversation touched lightly on many things, but focused more on Grandpa than anything else. He was a remarkable man with lots of history.

“And for some reason, even though my expenses will now be less, I feel less guilty about selling.”

“It’s so hard to let it go, isn’t it?” Bailey shook her head. “Willow Creek is something special to all of us.”

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