My dad passed away today

My Dad, Donald Repsher, passed away peacefully this afternoon. I give thanks to all of my friends around the world who’ve been praying for him.

It was a long journey of letting go. We know that he has now met Jesus face to face and is able to finally once again do one of his favorite activities – hike up mountains, this time with more energy and ease than ever before. The Holy Spirit gave me a vision of this when I was praying for him after he broke his neck exactly four years ago.

Come to think of it, he’s had a four-year-long Advent season. And now he has entered the Eternal Christmas!

Because today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the timing is evidence that the Mother of Jesus was with him as he entered into the arms of the Divine Father. Even though my dad did not know the Blessed Mother because of his Protestantism, he met her today. Thanks to the timing, I’m sure of it. All the rosaries that my husband and I and many friends prayed for him made a difference, and I have zero doubt about this. The timing is Our Mother’s very comforting message to us.

Plus today Pope Francis announced a Year of Saint Joseph. What an awesome “coincidence”! My father has moved into the arms of the Divine Father on the same day that Saint Joseph is suddenly given extra attention. We can be sure that my dad met Saint Joseph today.

My mom, who was only able to visit him once a week, got to see him yesterday. Of course we had no idea it would be his last day. His last words to her were: “I love you.” He had been too weak to talk much, and what he said was too quiet to hear well. But he said “I love you” loud and clear. We thank God for helping him give Mom this farewell gift.