The day we flew back from Disneyland, Dave met us in the airport and let us all know that he was actually leaving that evening to head to Arizona. His dad had been hospitalized due to an adverse reaction (a poisoning really) from a medication. Dave was able to go for a few days and help his mom and care for his dad. We already had plans to go to Arizona for Thanksgiving, so we knew we would all get to see Carl then.
We took turns visiting as only a few people could be in the room with Carl at a time. Unfortunately, Harrison was too young to be admitted but he got to FaceTime with his Grandpa and send love.
When we weren't at the hospital, we were catching up with all our family in the desert going axe throwing, playing at Uncle Brian's escape room, making Thanksgiving dinner, eating together and riding Malia's horse.
It was really hard to head home with Carl in the hospital, but there were plans to move him to a rehab as soon as he was able to swallow and keep food down.
Dave and his sibling spent a lot of the Thanksgiving looking at facilities. Once we got home, it became apparent that Carl was going downhill. Dave flew back out again to spend time with his dad and send along all our love we could possibly relay. His siblings gathered later and collected videos/notes to read to Carl as he spent his last days in his home. On December 9th, Carl Junior McArthur took his last breath.
His funeral was held December 14th and we split up to travel (half of us flew and half of us drove due to skymiles, schedules, room in the car etc). Dave took Katelee and Harrison, Grant, Brenna and I flew and made it to our hotel at around 3am. Our sweet neighbors and friends contributed to help us with travel expenses and gave so much support that we truly appreciated.
The service was small but streamed and I am sure many, many people tuned in to reminisce about a man who certainly impacted thousands. Dave and Brent spoke, the sisters all shared memories,
and it was a difficult but tender day. Dave's siblings are never all together, so we were grateful to spend a few hours eating afterwards surrounded by love for our Dad/Father-in-law/Grandpa/Brother/Uncle/Husband.
We went home to spend the rest of the Christmas holiday very reflective and appreciative for the memories we have of the best Dad/Grandpa the world has ever seen.
We really could write pages and pages of Carl-isms- the cute, funny things that he said that made us giggle, of times he bore his testimony and taught true doctrine whether formally or as part of everyday conversation. The pages would include all the times he ran into people he knew everytime he traveled, the pages he kept of books he read, apostles he met, scriptures to share.
He was a man that everyone loved and he loved everyone. You could not help but adore him and feel honored that you were part of his family. His arm wrestling, dancing, country singing, karaoke, jokes etc just added charm and joy to a celestial kind of man.
We can not wait to hug him, have him kiss us on the cheek as he always did and show us to the food because you know, when that reunion happens with him again- there is going to be good food! Words cannot adequately express the hole he has left, but the hope and anticipation of seeing him again is truly a gift. Love you forever Carl McArthur!
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