Monday August 10th we buried our Daddy. We knew he would not want to live very long without our Mom who passed in September 2008, but he did pass all our expectations. Once he got sick he willed himself not to tarry and he didn't.
I am fortunate that the good Lord made me aware that I needed to go see him and I did and he did recognize me.
I hated to see him as he was unable to get up , talk or handle every day things. The pain to me was indescribable however I did all that I could for him while I was there. As much as I hated seeing him living like that I hated the ineveitable phone call that I knew was coming and when it came on August 4th, the realization that I would no longer see that smile or the frown or hear the stutter (from his stroke), discuss golf or Yankees/Rays/Boston, tell hilm about my dog or my kids filled my heart with pain.
I did his Euology and I doubt that I gave him his due. To me I remember the look when he brought up some puppies from the new litter of beagle that he was raising, washing the garbage truck, the lessons he taught me, hunting, fishing, tracking in the woods, how to change the oil, fix the tire, do the plumbing, singing all the old songs in the car late at night when we were cominog home after his calls after work, the time he tore his tendons and couldn't drive, so I got my licesne, the time he burst in to the labor room when I was in labor with my Hunter and the nurse sent him out and wouldn't let him in., how we almost ended up in the Chenago River when he drove me to Lourdes the night of his anniversay, when Josh was trying to be born, teaching me about the church, trying ot teach me shortcuts in math that I never could get until long past my classroom days. Tellimg me over and over you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, hlis charm and how the ladies loved him--- his love for my mother, how he loved surprises, how he treated his Mom , hils family evryone.
I have been doing well but when the American Legion did the first volley of the 21 gun salute, I felt an arrow pierce my heart and I have been grieving ever since. I wanted to cry out but I knew he would not expect that of me so I held tight to Mabel Wrench's hand and thought O God! This is really true, My Daddy has died. I have never felt so lonely in my whole life.
