Thank you all for your kind words. :)

It's so weird now. He was in the hospital basically the last 3 months of his life, and we almost lost him several times...he got Last Rites 5 times. So we were already prepared for his death more or less...now we find ourselves--for lack of a better word--bored. Our lives--well, more my mom's and brother's--were fairly structured around being at the hospital regularly. Now they're trying to get back to some sort of a "normal" life, and it's pretty weird.

If any of you happen to be in the St. Louis area, my dad's wake will be at Kutis City Chapel, 2906 Gravois, on Thurs. Nov. 4th from 3-9pm. The funeral is tentatively set for 10am Fri. Nov. 5th at Kutis, with burial to follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

You'll have done some of your grieving already, Syc. And, as you say, you've all been so busy looking after your Dad. It will be odd, or empty, or calm, and strange. It may be that once the wake and funeral are passed your feelings will catch up with you again?
My thoughts are with you.

Schmitz, Kenneth W. Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, Sat., Oct. 30, 2010. Beloved husband of Cindy Schmitz (nee Broyles); dear father of Michelle Varnum, Lisa Schmitz (Scott Williams), Terry Blastenbrei and Timothy Schmitz; loving grandfather of Jennifer (Dino) Easter, Danielle Carson, Ashley Williams and Papa to Kennedy Kotraba-Schmitz; dear brother of Clara Mitzi (Rich) Hornick and the late Wayne (survived by Joan) Schmitz; our dear great-grandfather of 2, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and friend. Services: Funeral from KUTIS CITY CHAPEL, 2906 Gravois, Fri., Nov. 5, 10am. Interment JB National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the American Lung Association greatly appreciated by the family. Visitation Thurs., 3-9pm.

Instead of "Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church," I probably would have went with, "Was sick of this crap and decided to go have some fun." :)