Shamelessly asking all of you for good thoughts and/or prayers for Razorette. Although she’s not a member, she’s largely responsible for me being as marginally useful to society as I am, and she is dealing with some serious emotional issues this holiday weekend.
We got a telephone call from our oldest son Friday evening just before supper informing us that we are going to be grandparents. My wife was ecstatic. She cried and laughed and started calling friends and family. We shared the news with my father, who promptly poured himself a scotch and toasted the scion-to-be. We then met her parents, maiden aunt and younger sister for supper at a local restaurant,where we shared the news with them and celebrated. Just as we were getting ready to leave, my father-in-law cried out in pain, grasped his chest and collapsed. A half-hour later he was pronounced dead at the local hospital. He was 90 years old.
Needlest to say, we are experiencing mixed emotions around our house.
Oh, my goodness! Sympathy and congratulations both.
In time, I suspect it will be some consolation that his last experience on this earth was one of family and fun and food and wonderful news after a long lifetime. There are certainly worse ways to go. Doesn’t mean everyone won’t miss him terribly, of course.
Thanks to everyone. I printed out your messages and showed them to Razorette – she was touched, as am I. Thanks again.
It’s now 24+ hours since the events described in the OP and things are starting to settle in. The family’s sharp, slashing pain at watching their patriarch die on the floor of a restaurant has settled into the dull ache that always comes as the clan gathers to grieve. Interestingly, everyone has latched on to the happier news, and today we learned that both of our sons and their wives will be home for the funeral. My mother-in-law commented that “the new life Molly carries will comfort us all.” For the first time in over 20 years my MIL will have every single grandchild (there are 12) gathered around her. The young people will do much to alleviate the grief, I’m sure.
and condolences 
to your whole family.