Brittany Castille's father, Greg Arabie of Rayne, has been in the hospital for 43 days, fighting COVID-19.
When she spoke to him Sunday morning, he told her he was missing his home, his family and his puppy, "the simple things in life, that people take for granted."
And so, she called together his friends and family to "visit" him by standing in the yard outside his hospital room. They waved, and held up signs saying they are praying for him, and brought colorful balloons.
"I wanted him to know how many prayer warriors he has standing behind him, helping him get better," Castille said.
Her father didn't require a ventilator, but came close, she says. He's requiring six liters of oxygen to breathe; the aim now is for him to tolerate three to four liters, so he can go home with home health support, she says.
Castille says she believes this gathering also had an impact on her family and friends.
"I think they realize how serious a COVID diagnosis is, and how short life is," she says.
If anyone out there would like to help, the family is asking for prayers.
"Our family needs lots of prayers to keep us together and strong, especially the little ones, because they don't understand where Papa is," she said.
And, she hopes everyone takes the virus seriously, she says.
"I want to let everybody know how serious COVID is," she says. "As soon as you show symptoms, it's important to seek help."
