Dear Dad,

You gave us all a gift the other day. By "all" I mean your girls - Mom, Terri, Jenn, and me. Quite unexpectedly, you were awake and alert when Mom and Terri visited with you that morning. Jenn and I were able to join by way of video call from Chile. Terry Long was also there with you. He has been so kind to travel and see you regularly.

While we were on the video call, you said to Mom: "I would like to take you out to dinner." It made us all tear up and meant so much that something you had done lovingly for 50+ years of marriage was still on your heart, impossible as it is to reenact now.

Although your conversation was at times mumbled and all over the place, as always you asked about grandchildren. Jenn told you about Juliana's upcoming tilt test at Clinica Las Condes. You surprised us when out of the blue you spoke clear as day: "Orthostatic hypotension!"

Suddenly you started praying, as you always used to do, for each of us and our families. You didn't give any warning, but just slipped into that beautiful and faithful role you carried out for so many years on behalf of us. It was such a gift and yet it made me cry. How I miss you being you, Dad. I love you.

Terri told us later that after we disconnected from the call, you said you wanted to go to the apartment that you shared with Mom. You wanted to know where you were, and it was as though you were hearing for the first time about your new location and how you got there. Mom told you that she would love for you to be able to be in the apartment and how she thinks about you each night when you're not there. You teared up and of course so did they. 

And then you said to them:"I just want to go." 

Terri asked: "Where do you want to go, Dad?" 

Your response: "Definitivamente ... Heaven."

For your sake, Dad, we long for your wish to come true. We know it will, we just don't know when. But we'll keep trusting the One Who does.

All my love,

Steph