In an emotional blog post from singer Rory Feek Saturday entitled "when I'm gone," he for the first time shared that he and his wife, popular vocalist Joey Martin Feek of their bluegrass country singing duo Joey+Rory, acknowledged she's truly dying and they needed to start saying goodbye. "I'd like to tell you that she's doing great and is going to beat this thing. But I can't," penned Rory, as he revealed Joey's pain and discomfort has increased daily and the morphine dosage needed to help her comfort has had to be quadrupled in the last four days.
"Yesterday with tears in her eyes and mine, Joey held my hand and told me that she has been having serious talks with Jesus. She said she told him that if He's ready to take her... she's ready to come home," shared Rory, 49.
"When I'm Gone," is a reference to an actual song written by one of the Feeks' friends, Sandy Lawrence, who, years ago, wrote a song for her mother from whom she was caring as she was passing away. Joey and Rory recorded the song in 2012, not realizing how close it home it eventually would hit.
Joey Martin Feek recording
"We knew the recording was special and our hope was that the song's message might help someone who is in the midst of losing someone they love or who has already lost someone and are trying to make sense of it all," Rory posted.
"Someone like me ... and my girls. And Joey's mama and daddy. And three sisters. And all our friends. And you."
While their 'make-believe' song and video is coming true, Rory said, "Some call it 'life imitating art'. I don't. I call it God."
Rory said he believes God knew he would need Joey to tell him goodbye, "not just once, but a thousand times."
"And I'd need to know that no matter how much time passes, that she loves me still. And He made it so that if I needed to be reminded of her beautiful life and heart and voice, he would only be a 'click' away."
Rory said he is not angry at the irony of the song. "How could I be? How many men who are losing the woman they love get a gift like that? None that I know of."
The Feeks have asked for "When I'm Gone" to be added to their new "Hymns That Are Important To Us" album that's coming out on Valentine's Day in Cracker Barrel.
"It's not a classic hymn, but to us it is. It is a very special song, filled with hope and love. And in time, I believe it will have the power to help heal a million broken hearts," concluded Rory.
Joey was first diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in May 2014, but despite several treatments and surgeries, her cancer returned. In November 2015, the courageous 40-year old was admitted into hospice care after ending cancer treatments in late October, and returned to the home she grew up in to live out her last precious days with family and friends. Fans have watched and prayed as she made it through the record holiday period.
Singer Rory Feek said Saturday his wife Joey Martin Feek is near death, and it's time to start saying goodbye.
