Steve Godwin - Hospice care

I first fell in love with Steve Godwin  when I was just 19.  40 years have come and gone since then and even after we divorced, I knew he was only a phone call away if I needed him.   Even after I married Bill and had 4 other children, Steve was part of our lives.  He would have my younger kids out to his house to swim.  He sent them Christmas gifts.  We could sit together at school and sports functions. We were friends.

When Bill died, it was Steve who called and offered his help.  It was Steve who went with me to clean out Bill’s garage and get his boat back to Boonville.  It was Steve who stood at my dad’s funeral, more than 20 years after we divorced to speak about what a good man my dad was.

He has been there since Day One for Andi  and Zac.  He has always loved them fiercely, supported them in every way and worked hard to make sure they were comfortable.

Steve has entered into hospice care, with only comfort measures as he lives out his final days. Now, our children will be doing for their dad what he has always done for them, supporting him and making sure he is comfortable.

No matter how much your mind knows that you want your daddy to not suffer anymore, your heart still wants to hold onto him.  I was able to talk to Steve this evening via FaceTime, where he repeatedly told me, “It’s OK, Perri. It’s gonna be alright.”  Steve is at peace with his life, his choice to stop medical treatment and he is ready for his pain to be done. 

He has loved his family and friends well and he is loved in return.