I went through all of that recently. I watched the hospice nurse wash my dad’s body for the last time.

I let our dog see what was happening and say goodbye.

I welcomed the hearse attendant into the house with his body bag and gurney. I snapped a picture as they loaded Dad into the back for one final ride to a town he liked to visit at least two or three times a week.

I stood in the lawn and watched him pull away for the last time, knowing he’d never be back.

I asked myself why anyone would make that final experience more likely for somebody.

And I don’t know the answer.