Saturday, April 25, 2009

Gone with the angels - sueño con los ángeles.

This is the blog that we never wanted to write... and that you never hoped to read. Some of you have already heard the news, but for those of you who haven't... my father passed away today around 2:30 p.m. India time- 3:00 a.m. Denver time.

It had been a long night for us, we were both restless and felt something wasn't right. Our intuitions were confirmed with a phone call from the duty doctor at 2:00 a.m. We rushed to the hospital, (as I posted in the earlier blog). The doctor ensured us that he was stable so we returned to the hotel and slept for a few more hours. Early this morning we received another phone call requesting that we come to the hospital to give us an update. When we arrived his condition had worsened and he was not responding to any of the medication that they had given him. They had recessitated him several times before telling us that we only had about twenty-five minutes left with him.

So we stayed by his side and assured him that he didn't need to be afraid. We told him that Grandma and Grandpa were there to guide him through this transition. We reminded him, name by name, of everyone who loves him and of the things he loved in life. He didn't need to be in pain any longer. We promised him that he would be with us every single day in every decision that we make, and in everything we do. We also told him that he was a good man and an amazing father.

He was not consious... but we know his spirit was there. Renee and I held hands and prayed until he was gone.

45 comments:

  1. Our prayers are with Mike and the two of you.

    Love,
    Pat and Terri

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  2. awwwww..... man. Im soooo soooo sooooo sorry to hear that! dammmm! I prayed every night for you guys... Im so sorry this ended this way. My heart goes out to you guys. Please let me know if there is anything I can do. Jenne

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  3. Gail & Bill RickmanApril 25, 2009 at 9:14 AM

    Grace, Strength and Peace be with you all. We look forward to seeing you when you return. Love, Bill & Gail

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  4. I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Our family is praying for your family so that God will give you strength through this hard time. Please let us know if you need anything at all.
    Richard Suazo and family

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  5. Our deepest condolences. I never thought this would happen. The thought did not cross my mind. Continue with your amazing strength. He is there to help you now.
    Sincerely
    Mike & Amber Smith

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  6. This is such sad news on a gray day here in Denver...I am so sorry to learn of Mikes passing and the pain and sorrow that you all must feel after all you have sacrificed so much to give Mike a chance at a longer fuller life. My deepest condolences to all of you there in India, and to Susan and the rest of the family back here in Denver..my thoughts are with you all.
    Patty Clayton

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  7. Neysa & Renee,
    So very sorry to hear such sad news. You did all that you could ever do. Your dad loved you dearly. Carolyn

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  8. I am so sorry to hear about this very saddening news. I know you both did everything in your power to help him. You both are angels! And now at least he is not suffering any longer. Out thoughts and prayers are with you all. Very sorry for your loss. Mike will be missed very much.

    Love the Christopherson Family

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  9. Our hearts are so heavy with this news. Yet Mac and I are remembering a cheerful, laughing and wonderful friend whose quick smile made you feel welcome. To all of Mike's near and dear---our prayers continue to be with you. May the sure knowledge of Mike's love and kind spirit be strong with you as you find your way through this sad loss.
    With many prayers,
    Kelly and Steve McCartney

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  10. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I'm so very sorry for you loss. Thinking of you!

    Lots of Love,
    Nicki Eaton

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  11. My heartfelt love, hugs and prayers to you all.

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  12. Renee and Neysa, may the good Lord hold you in his arms and comfort you during this time. I am so very sorry to hear of your dad's passing. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers and there is a lot of love coming your way. Please let us know if there is anything at all we can do. There are no words that can express how very sorry we are to have heard this news.

    xoxo BIG HUGS XOXO

    Gerri and Glenn Kassel

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  13. My first reaction is sadness and shock yet I'm also impressed with how you wrote about his passing and your last moments with him. Your love and guidance to help him release his physical being was a special gift that we all can only hope to have when we leave this life. My prayers for comfort, strength and condolences are with you and your family. God bless you.

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  14. I wish there was something we could do or say to make things easier for you right now…We hope that it will help a little just to know how much we care and that our thoughts and prayers are with you!

    Our deepest condolences - Kelly and Armando Nunez

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  15. I am so very sorry for you loss. I lost my dad a year ago May 7. It's the worst. I am so sorry.

    Stay Strong,
    Jenn Bell-Anderson (a "slumber-sister")

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  16. I am so sorry to hear this! He is no longer suffering. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

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  17. I am so sorry for you and your family. Any loss is tuff, even when we know that the person is finally in no pain and suffers no more.
    God has more important things for him to do now. He will always be with your family and will always be helping them only now he will be able to do the things he wanted to do for each of you and because of his health he couldn't. But now that isn't a problem anymore for him. I hope that we can do a service in his respect and honor for him here.
    Please, if you can send this to the blog for me I would greatly appreciate it. My love goes out to your entire family.

    Pastor Patricia, Chapel of Spiritual Awareness Littleton, Colorado NSAC

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  18. Thank All of you for the blessings of your friendships! Love, Rita

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  19. Sending strength, love and prayers.

    Steph Patrick and Family

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  20. So sorry to hear of your Dad passing. Praying for peace and comfort for you all.

    (I'm a friend of Kelly's.)

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  21. Renee, Neysa, and Family,

    My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. My heart goes out to you. He has found peace and has no more pain. You were great daughters and he knew you loved him dearly.

    Love, Kelly G. and family (in PA and CO)

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  22. I am so sorry for your loss.
    I am sure he is in peace now and knew he was the happiest man to have you and your sister as daughters.
    All my thoughts and support to you and your family, stay strong and may your father rest in peace.

    Jerome.

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  23. My heart is broken to hear such sad news for my wonderful friend. I loved Mike with all my heart and I will forever cherish the great and fun memories i have. I'm always here for you girls and if their is anything I can do please let me know.

    Vi Robinson

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  24. Renee, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. You and your family are in my prayers.
    Beth Unrein

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  25. I am so sorry for your family's loss. Your family's love for eachother is something to admire and strive for. Our hearts are with you.

    The Murphy Family

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  26. Dear Renee, Neysa and Family,

    My heart goes out to you with the loss of Mike. You girls were the pride, joy and light in his life. It is so appropriate that you were there with him to help him in his passing.

    Our love and prayers are with you today and always. I wish him a peaceful soul journey and pray you feel God's love and comfort in your days ahead.

    Nikki, Krista and Justin

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  27. Thank-you for your words of love, support and encouragement.

    -Neysa & Renee

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  28. My heart sank into my stomach when I heard the news. I'm truly sorry for your loss!

    Although this incredible journey is over, take comfort in knowing the love you have for each other is what helped you get through this, and will continue to help you get through what lies ahead.

    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! There is a lot of love being sent your way.

    Traci Hamilton

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  29. I am so saddened to hear of your loss. Can't get Mike's smiling face out of my mind, and our short times together at Winfield. Strange that it's the hardest, the saddest, for all of us who are left behind, those of us whose life he brightened...

    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Peace be with you.

    Ian Barwick

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  30. Dear Rick and Cecilia,

    When I opened Aurelia's email this morning and read the news about Mike, I was deeply saddened. Mike fought the good fight and is now enjoying his new home in spirit.

    "Even though the Sun sets here on Earth, a new star rises in heaven." May the Great Spirit and Creator of all that is give you peace and comfort.


    --
    May you live in a world at peace, with an awareness of beauty in every sunset, every flower, every child's smile, and with every astonishing beat of your own heart.

    Sharon Zimmerman

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  31. Renee and Neysa -
    My heart felt condolences and prayers are with you and your family. Renee you are an amazing person to sacrifice the way you did! I truely admire you. Please let me know what I can do for you in any way!!
    Your dad will forever be an angel watching over the two of you, it's great you were with him to see him on his journey Home! God Bless!!
    -Kenny, Danette and Danae

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  32. My heart and prayers go out to your family.
    I am so sorry for your loss. I admire the dedication of all the members of your family doing as much as physically possible. Your love is so great.

    Lisa DeCaire

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  33. Dear Renee, Neysa, Susan and the Quintana Family,
    I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Mike was a wonderful man. I know you all have so many great memories. Hold onto them, they will get you through this! As hard as it is to say goodbye, it's a great feeling to know he is in no more pain.
    Please let me know if there is anything I can do. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

    "Although its difficult to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow" (unknown)

    Love,
    Dana, James and family

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  34. Renee: You and your family are in my heart and will be in my prayers. The beauty of your love for your father is undeniable. I hope the thought of knowing he is now looking at you from above will help bring some peace to your heart.
    With Love,
    Denise Kuerzi

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  35. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this sad time. I am so sorry! Please have a safe trip home.

    Katie Treadwell and Family

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  36. The battle was fought and the war is now over. No more pain, no more suffering. Mike's spirit lives on in a world of peace, light and love.

    Your family will be in my prayers; prayers of strength, comfort, and understanding for this devestating loss. May you receive healing and loving light in your time of sorrow. I am so sorry for your loss.

    Jennifer Hendricks

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  37. All my prayers are with your entire family. Remember to celebrate his life and feel the comfort of Gods love through this sad time. Ceceilia if you need anything I am here for you.

    Kimberly Bohman
    UC Denver School of Pharmacy

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  38. Dear Renee, Neysa and Family


    I am truly saddened to hear this news. I am from India originally and went to school in Delhi. You girls and your father put up the fight of your lives. I am amazed at the wisdom and strength shown by such young women. Cecilia, celebrate Mike's life and spirit of this amazing daugthers. We are here for you at SOP to laugh, cry and everything and anything in between.

    God bless you all.

    Kavita Nair
    UC Denver School of Pharmacy

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  39. Dear Family
    We were so sorry to hear about Uncle Mike passing. I also was so devastated to hear of the news after you both gave so much to save his life. He was blessed with two awesome and loving daughters and you both know how much he loved you too. We returned from Dallas late last night and I didn't have internet access so I am sorry that I had not acknowledged your loss earlier. I will talk to you once you arrive home. Hugs....

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  40. Renee, Neysa & Family-

    My heart aches for you all. Losing a loved one is soo hard I know. Especially when you all were fighting so hard. I'm sorry for your loss. Please be safe while coming home. Once home we can surround you in our love and support. If you need anything we are just a touch away.

    Holly & Karl Glasgow (HollyWood)

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  41. renee,neysa and family i am sorry to hear the news i am so lost for words right now i am truely saddend by this i am here for you.i really do not know what to say.renee i wish you and your family all the stregth..i am here for you if you need me..love you all and again i am so sorry for your lose...jennifer...

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  42. Hi Barb,
    Saw the sadness on the blog on Sat. night when we were at the triplets house. I was really thinking things were going to be OK. I'm with you during this especially trying time. As a mother, I can imagine how hard it is for you to be going through this with the girls so far away. They are strong and fearless girls and you raised them WELL! They are just precious! I loved their video they did with the 3 of them. I couldn't believe how much Renee is like YOU! Her mannerisms and the way she talks is just like you. So cute. Neysa is just beautiful as she always has been. You can be very proud of the family you raised and the fact that you always kept a friendly attitude with their relationship with their father. He will always have a place in your heart too, you had him as a husband probably in the best years of his life. You guys had a lot of fun in those days. We sure did with you guys. Just wanted you to know I'm thinking about you.
    Love,
    Corrine Abel

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  43. Neysa and Renee,
    I'm sorry I haveen't posted since Mike's passing. You've been on my mind every waking moment. I'm just having a difficult time accepting that It's actually happened. We all hoped and prayed so hard for his full recovery. God, however had other plans for him. He is now keeping company with your Grandpa and Grandma Q. and many other loved ones who were there to greet him with open arms. I'm also sure that he and Odie have already been out jogging along a sunny, flowery, green mountain path, both free of worry and pain.

    Thank you girls, for all you've done for your dad, and for doing such a wonderful job of keeping us posted through out this saga! Through your vivid entries, pictures and videos, we felt we were there with you. We were able to experience a little of India vicariously!

    Now, we anxiously await your return, so we can celebrate your dad's life. Please be safe on your return journey. We'll see you very soon.

    LOVE,
    Auntie Rosie

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  44. Renee & Neysa,

    Have a safe trip home. We are all ready to have you home where we can hug, kiss you and surround you with love. Love, Aunt Suzi

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  45. My heart goes out to all the Quintana family. Mike & I have been friends since college and I know what a special friend he was. Bless you all. We will all miss him.
    Dennis

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