Sisters balance joy of a wedding, grief over loss of their father
MIDDLETOWN — Two sisters are drawing on their sense of humor to help process the “blessing” of the hastily-pulled-together wedding of their youngest sister at their dad’s bedside in the ICU just two days before he died.
Sara Estela and Michael Krystek, of New Britain, were wed at Middlesex Hospital, in full protective gear amid the pandemic, the bride said.
Juan Estela of Middletown, 67, who suffered from asthma, COPD, diabetes and congestive heart failure, was admitted to the Middletown hospital on Christmas Day, after his family realized he was struggling to breathe, according
to his daughter Alyssa Broe.
Sara Estela wants to spread the joy the family felt when her dad was able
to be at their marriage, even though the family wasn’t sure he was aware of it because his eyes were closed and he was being aided with a breathing device.
“With everything going on in the world right now, people need a feel-good story. It’s not something the community needs — it’s something the world needs,” she said.
Amanda Falcone, Middlesex Health public relations director, noted that “each day, we provide compassionate care to our patients and their families, and sometimes, that means connecting family members so they can enjoy their last moments together,”
“It was our privilege to care for Juan and to help him attend his daughter’s wedding. Our hearts go out to Juan’s family, and we wish the newly married couple all the best,”
Falcone said.
After the Zoom wedding ceremony, the family prayed. As they said amen, they said they were shocked at what followed.
Their father had his eyes shut during the ceremony, Broe said. But then, “His eyes shot wide open. You heard him say, ‘Wow. Married. Sara got married.’
“‘I did it. I did it. I attended it,’ he said. It was very emotional,” Sara Estela said.
Their father died Monday.
Juan Estela never indicated, or likely knew, his condition was as dire as it turned out to be, Broe said.
The sisters laughed when recounting how their father was absolutely thrilled when they sent him a “goodie
bag” of sugar-free snacks early in his stay.
“He got into the candy. He was in his own little paradise. He popped little jelly beans into his mouth and was all content like a child,” Broe said.
Only the bride and groom were allowed in the room due to COVID. The couple spent less than $100 on the arrangements, Sara Estela said. “We bought some cheap rings we thought were so beautiful to us. It didn’t matter about the ring. It didn’t matter about having anything fancy. It mattered that my dad was there.
“Even though it was a $20 ring that I swore my vows on, it was the most meaningful thing I could ever have,” she said.