The Sink Family!: John Daniel Sink, "Dan", 7.20.1945-7.21.2016

This is a post I don't really want to write. But sadly, it's now a huge hole in our life that I have to update on. Daniel's dad passed away early Thursday morning, 7/21. 2016 wasn't an easy year for him. The day we brought Ella home from the hospital from RSV-hell in January, he was admitted and had surgery removing part of his colon. A few months ago, he had a small stroke. He hasn't always been in the greatest of health, but these two incidents really wore on him. The week before he died, he had Matthew take him to the ER because he was having a hard time breathing. They immediately admitted him to the ICU, and suspected a blood clot in his lungs. He went from being on high-flow oxygen to a bipap machine, slowly requiring more and more oxygen. On Monday morning, while Daniel was with him, his kidneys started failing, so they put him on dialysis. On Tuesday morning, while Ashley was with him, they made the decision to put him on a ventilator, as his oxygen was too low on the bipap machine. On Wednesday, all of his children + sister went to hang out to celebrate his birthday! 71! Although he was sedated because he was on a vent, the nurses said he was likely aware of his surroundings. Before everyone left, we sang him happy birthday, told him we loved him and that we'd see him the next day. Early on Thursday morning, Georgia called Daniel to let him know his dad was in cardiac arrest, they were working on him, and to get to the hospital. We drove Matthew and Ashley, and when we got off the elevator, Georgia told us he didn't make it. I have to say in all honesty, I think it's for the best we didn't make it in time. The last memory everyone had was singing him happy birthday, and they were all together. It was the happiest memory given the situation, in my humble opinion, and I'm thankful for that. I'm also thankful his situation didn't drag on, because that was very likely given the fact he was on two machines keeping him alive. Nobody had a tough decision to make. Silver linings.

Chipotle & Jimmy Johns picnic in the waiting room

birthday hang out session - Ashley, Annabeth, Matthew, Daniel, J <3

So the next few days were spent planning a funeral, cleaning out his office, and snuggling our girls extra tight. It was tough. But throughout it all, so many of our friends (who are family) wrapped their arms around Daniel and showed him an immense amount of love. Text messages, phone calls, visits. Katie & Matt took charge of communicating with friends (because we have so many, and it was too much to think of at the time). They then brought over alcohol, bbq, and good friends to cheer Daniel up. Robin arrived immediately with fried chicken, sweet tea, and a sense of calm in the storm. She sat next to me on the back porch while Daniel and Matthew slept in the living room, and when she left, she somehow also took some of the burden off me <3 So many people came to the visitation and funeral to show their support and give condolences. We will be eternally grateful, and hope it's a very long time until we have to show the same support.

Daniel cleaning out his Dad's office.. he found some very old gems!

We are much too young to bury a parent. Matthew is 19. So many milestones that still will happen, without their dad. Matthew graduating college, Ashley walking down the aisle without her dad, Annabeth & J bringing grandbabies into the world. My heart breaks for each one of them. Their dad was a great person. He helped raise four amazing children. I've been in the Sink family for over 12 years now, and I can tell you the legacy he leaves behind is incredible.