almost no posts after Lebanon

Holzhacker

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Mar 31, 2009
Messages
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Hi guys, I left for Lebanon thinking I was coming back to a relatively easy week. Of course things never go the way we think. I came back to a lot of calls for work which was great. Figured I could feed my Festool habit a little more.
After being back a few days I had to put my Dad back in the hospital/hospice and give away/postpone work. My Dad died last night while I was holding his hand and talking to him. We figured he had another 6-9 months or so. It's better this way for him, he wasn't happy with his poor quality of life.
The point of this post however is that I felt bad about not really being able to contribute to the knowledge base and discussions on the FOG after Lebanon. I was one of the lucky ones that got picked, went and then practically disappeared. I just feel like that comes off as pretty ungrateful which is definitely not the case. I do want to Thank Festool for the great opportunity and the guys for being there. I was checking the FOG from my iphone periodically but really couldn't post.
My fellow 'students' have done a great job of sharing what we learned during our time at Festool. I have to commend the guys for their time and effort. I doubt I will being doing much posting in the coming days or so, lots of issues to handle related to this. I hope to continue to contribute more to the FOG in the future.
For those who have elderly parents and may be getting close to this, I'd like to make a few suggestions about what I've learned.
- talk with your parent about what he/she wants as far as funeral arrangements
- have copies of ID, maiden names, accounts, bills, etc. put together
- consider Hospice care sooner rather than later
- talk to siblings about things ahead of time to reduce problems
- start saving money to have a reserve fund to cover expenses during the end
- think about how you will handle clients/jobs etc.
I am a pretty good time manager but the amount of time my Dads' last week and a half ate up was staggering. I guess the most important thing I could tell others is just to realize that all else ends up on hold. Work, play, sleep, whatever, it all has to wait. Sitting with the dying, driving back and forth, talking with doctors, nurses, looking for paperwork, it is a full time job.
He took care of me when I was a stupid teenager, it's the least I can do now.
When I get some work going again in a week or so, I think I'll go feed my depression with Festool.
Thanks, Markus
 
Markus,

This is a moving and sincere posting, and I'm genuinely sorry for your loss.  Hope everything gets back on track before too long.

Mac
 
Sorry to hear about your Dad.  The last thing you should feel bad about is not contributing here after the IN trip especially when you had all that family stuff going on.  It was more important to spend time with your Dad and family.
 
Markus,

I'm sorry about your loss.  Family comes first.  When you are able to come back, we'll welcome you back with open arms.

Peter
 
Markus,

My prayers go out to you and your family...May you receive Peace from the Prince of Peace himself...
 
Markus,

I completely understand everything you just described.  9 years ago my mother passed away from cancer.  I was in the other room while my grandma was lying in bed with her when she took her last breath.  We to brought on hospice to make it a painless experience and my mother was staying with my grandmother for the last 3 months or her life.  Hospice is a wonderful organization and I would recommend this service to anyone.  The staff is absolutely amazing and they bend over backwards for anyone and I applaud their work.  It takes one heck of a person to work for hospice.  Everything you described about what to prepare for and do is so true.  We had some of those issues but not all of them but definitely take the advice from Markus.  The next day after my mother passed away I woke up feeling as if the weight of the world was lifted off my shoulders because I knew she was in a better place and I wasn't thinking to myself "will this day be the day".  So Markus, realize that he is in a better place and that he is enjoying eternity with the big man upstairs.

Hang in there.

-Dave
 
Markus,

Firstly let me say I am sorry for your loss and I unfortunately understand how you feel right now.  I also was one of the lucky ones picked to go to Lebanon but alas never made it, midweek before the trip my step father passed away and instead of making the trip to Lebanon I was on a plane heading back to England for his funeral.

I wish you well and hope the pain passes soon....

Colin.
 
Markus,
My deepest sympathies for your loss.  I know its hard, but you should feel proud that you were able to support your father in his deepest time of need.  I too had to go through this a few years ago.  It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do: take care of my father, my father's business and employees and take care of my mother, who was very distraught.  The last thing I could do was worry about myself.  It definitely puts things into perspective.  Don't forget to take care of yourself, the stress that is on you is quite staggering.  Best wishes...
 
sorry for your loss markus. i also lost my father in 2004, he was killed in a car accident.
regards, justin.
 
Markus,

I am so sorry for the loss of your father, but he is in a better place.  May our Lord bring his peace upon you and your loved ones during this time of loss and grief.  A good read if you have never read it is "90 minutes in heaven" by Don Piper.

Best,
Todd
 
Markus,

I just noticed this post today...and a belated sympathy to you and your family on the loss of your father. Fathers are special - we only get one.

Bob
 
Bob Marino said:
Markus,

I just noticed this post today...and a belated sympathy to you and your family on the loss of your father. Fathers are special - we only get one.

Bob

Agreed 100%.  I don't know what I would do if mine wasn't around anymore.  Never feel bad about taking time to spend with your family.  Nothing is more important.

Chad
 
Markus, my condolences to you on the passing away of your dad. Family are important above everything else. My wife is a community nurse here in Crawley where we live. She often goes to the care homes and a hospice to administer pain relieving drugs and to be a friend to the old and lonely folk she has on her patient list. She said it's so sad that people in hospice can pass away without any family to be with them. The staff at the hospice are very special caring people who make all the difference to those folk who are perhaps "out of it" to some extent because of the morphine and other meds they are given. You did the right thing for sure to be there with your dad. Condolences again.

When you are right and ready, the Festool shop will be waiting. ;)
 
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