Now

The funeral was very nice. It was a lovely day. The sun was shining. The flowers were beautiful. All three of the kids spoke and I sang a song, Be Still My Soul. I managed to get through the whole thing without crying, which was truly a miracle. The spirit was very strong and there were a lot of people there. My parents drove all the way up from St. George, which I know was a sacrifice for them, but I really did appreciate the support from them. The graveside service was very special. There was a person playing bagpipes, Justin dedicated the grave, there was a gun salute since Ron was career Air Force, and a bugler played Taps. I have never been to a burial before, but it was very sad and very nice too. The mortuary did a wonderful job. Now we are busy doing stuff. Donna's sisters are here from Canada so they want to see the West. Tomorrow we are going to take the train down to Salt Lake! That should be exciting for the kids. We will stay here until the end of the month because we can't get a flight until then. Justin has to go home next Monday and then will come back. So... that is the scoop. We have to go walk up and get Caroline from school now.

Ronald LeRoy Bates

Ron passed away last night at 11:50 PM. He went very quietly and peacefully. When it was getting close to the end, Donna asked me to say a prayer and within seconds of the close of the prayer he left this world. I have never experienced death this closely before. I have never even been to a funeral. I must say I do not know what I was so frightened of. It was so peaceful. And we just felt such a calm reassurance that he was now with his family and with The Lord. We know that he is serving a mission like he has wanted for so long. I am so grateful to have had that man in my life. Sometimes he was infuriating with the way he would talk to everyone without restraint, and the way he pulled no punches when he wanted to tell you what was on his mind. There was never any doubt as to how Dad felt about things. But he was also hilarious. He could keep everyone in stitches! He was the one who got me to watch my first Jazz game! Who would have thought I would be a sports fan!!! I am one of the TOP Jazz fans now! I try not to miss a game if it is televised. With all of his brashness and sometime crude sense of humor, Ron was also one of the most spiritual and faithful servants of the Lord that I will ever know. His testimony is unwavering. His strength unparalleled. I never had any question of his faith. Even from his difficult upbringing in an orphanage, he overcame all of his difficulties and rose above the ashes to become a remarkable phoenix. And the most important thing to me is the wonderful father that he was. He raised 4 incredible children. One whom I call my best friend of all time. Justin learned the importance of hard work and the importance of the Gospel from his father and mother. And I know that he is the father he is because of the amazing job Ron did of being Justin's father. I love him with all of my heart and will miss him more than words can express. I look forward to the day I will see him again. I love you, Dad.

Now...

Ron is home and doing well. He is in good spirits, but is starting to get more sleepy more of the time. This is what the doctors and hospice nurse has told us would happen. He will get sleepier and sleepier and sleep most of the time. Then he will quietly slip into a coma and pass very peacefully in his sleep. He said that he couldn't ask for much more than that. I think that is the miracle everyone has been praying for. He will not be in any pain. He is not in any pain right now which is just unheard of for this disease. So we are very happy about this. I am getting all kind of practical nursing experience. It has been a good view into what to expect when I can finally go to nursing school. Anyway... that is news for now. Got to get home.