Peaceful

Henry has slept for the last 20 hours, rousing once in the middle of the night to take a bit of morphine for his headache. We had tiny one-word conversations, telling him about recent visitors and notes from old friends. I sang the song I sing to him at night time and he completed the last word as he always has. We told him over and over we loved him.

Tara and I slept one on either side of him in his nest in our living room. I stoked the fire before laying down and the glow was as much heart warming as it was physically comforting.

Once again we find ourselves grateful for the peaceful manner in which Henry is able to painlessly rest. His agitation and mania seem to have mercifully subsided and he is simply sleeping. His breaths are sometimes quick and sharp, but mostly steady and very slow. There is no tension in his face.

The girls left for school this morning and each kissed him. Such good girls - so brave. We've spent a lot of time with them making sure they know they are loved and safe. We had a cathartic evening of crying around Henry last evening. Us, my mother, Tara's parents. It needed to happen. It was a good release for all and the girls seemed better for it today.