It has been a sad, heart wrenching week for my family. My beloved father-in-law (FIL) passed away peacefully, a few days ago after a long battle with heart disease. He was aged 83.
My FIL has been in the hospital a few times in the past few years for heart and related complications. He was readmitted to the hospital again last week after suffering breathing problems.
As he was getting weak and breathless, he was confined to the hospital intensive care unit, with intravenous tubes and drips. And for a few days, an oxygen mask helped him to breathe which he absolutely hated. He shook his head sorrowfully with eyes closed, at the thought of going home. He must have been frustrated with all the pain and suffering he went through. He looked as though he had given up on life. Perhaps he thought that he had achieved a ripe old age.
When my FIL regained consciousness, through written notepad, he insisted he be taken back home. In the back of my mind, I knew that he was soon going to leave us very soon and at the same time he didn't want to die in the hospital. Eventually we took him home with all the necessary apparatus he would need to help him breathe.
His health began to take a sudden turn for the worse last week. After two battles with heart complications in a few weeks of hospitalisation, he passed away peacefully that night. We cried for him to fight on as we witnessed his final breath. However, it is a blessing that he no longer having to suffer and that he has been freed from his pain.
Memories of him will remain in our hearts forever. I miss him heaps.
First Commenter - Denesa
I've always been fascinated and enthralled by Hibiscus blooms and the roselle flowers growing in my garden have finally sprouted.
Roselle or its scientific name Hibiscus sabdariffa are common wild-grown flowers now widely distributed and cultivated in tropical regions round the globe. Sepals of roselle are used in making juices, squashes, jellies, wines and pies. The juice contains vitamin C and minerals and many parts of the plant are also claimed to have various medicinal properties. More specifically, they are commonly used as a treatment for cardiac, nerve diseases and cancer.
With its numerous health benefits, this is definitely a home comfort that brings me back into my early years. The beverage is similar to Ribena juice, but not as sour though. It makes a fabulous iced tea that never fails to leave me feeling refreshed and uplifted.
Impatiens flowers take their name from the Latin, impatiens, "impatient." They are being called because their ripe seed pods will sometimes burst when slightly touch. Perhaps they are too impatient to reproduce. :) There are many species of impatiens flowers, often misspelled as "impatience" or "impatients".
There were plentiful of seagulls, swans, geese and other sea birds moving gracefully around the lake.
While taking pictures of the city, a flock of seagulls flew towards us and stood still as though to welcome us. When they realised no chips were coming their way they fluttered their wings and flapped wildly by the strong gusts of wind. It looked fun.
It was incredible to see their beautiful wings spread in such graceful flight around the lake. The lovely seagulls were truly putting on a show for us.
