To me, it's the day that we made the hardest decision I've ever had to make.
The decision to allow my dad to die with dignity, taking him off of the ventilator, giving him enough pain medicine to prevent him from suffering another minute from the cancer that was killing him.
He was only sixty years old.
When I was leaving work this morning, I ran into the nurse who cared for Dad the week he was in the ICU. We exchanged good mornings, she went on to work and I went home. She doesn't remember the significance of today. Had I reminded her, she would have, I'm certain.
My mom called me this afternoon, just wanting to talk to someone else who knew what this day meant to our family. My sister did the same. It felt good to talk about Dad, and this year we were able to do it with laughter instead of tears. It has taken four years to get to this point.
I still miss him. I'm sad that he's not around to be Big Papaw to my babies. To see Gabe being a "mini-me" of his grandpa. To discuss the newest Stephen King or John Sandford books. To hug. To call me his "tiger".
Time does heal the wounds of loss, but it doesn't mean that this day will lose its memory of sorrow.
William Albert Klenk
February 7, 1945 to August 5, 2005
10 comments:
What a beautiful tribute to your Dad. I can't imagine what it must be like to loose a parent.
I am truly sorry for your loss.
((((HUGS))))
Big hugs to you today. My father died very suddenly about 2 1/2 years ago. And he had just turned 60. Way too young to go. I'll be thinking about you...
So I came over here to tell you something and then I saw this. Now I am crying a little.
I know from personal experience that nothing anyone says makes it better. So I will just say that I love you and I send you big hugs.
I am glad you were able to laugh. It gives me hope.
PS. An Echo in the Bone (the next book in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series) will be out in September. I thought you might be as excited as me.
xoxo
oh sweetie, I'm sending warm thoughts and big hugs your way today.
Such a sweet post, Heather. I'm sorry your dad died so young. I think of my own dad, who is already 62 and it's just not fair. I guess none of us are guaranteed our next breath, but it still doesn't make it easy to bare.
sending you a hug today
Big, big hugs today. He sounds like an amazing dad. I'm so sorry he had to leave at such a young age.
wow... I'm just choked up for you...
I'm sure you will NEVER forget that day...
Sending you big bear hugs!
Precious. Tender. Special.
I love your dad. Can't wait to hang with him someday...on streets of gold...
p.s. Isabel looks like a doll in those photos. So much younger. She's practically a lady now!
What can I say that others have not put so much better. I am sorry for you, but know that he is watching from above and celebrating with you in the joy of your sweet family. That is the good thing about love, it never ends.....♥
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