Monday, October 15, 2012

My Dad

A friend of mine is losing her mom.  She has just a little bit of time left to love, live, make memories, take pictures, talk, hug.  I know how she feels.  Ever since her story began, I have been reminded of my dad.   Many years ago, my dad needed bypass surgery...again.   Seven years prior, he had the same surgery with a slow recovery.  The day after he was told he needed it repeated, he called me.  I was living in a different state, going to college.    He told me he was "backed against a wall" and that he felt like he didn't have a choice.  I told him to consider another option.  I knew in my heart that things wouldn't turn out well.   So, I came home.  I left school and all my responsibilities.  I came home and followed my dad around the house for  three days. I watched him and listened to him.  I tried to absorb all the advice he could give me.  "Take care of your mother", "take care of yourself", "you don't need a man to take care of you", "finish school", "do good", "be kind".   My dad had that surgery and a month later he died.  He never got to see me graduate from college, get married, meet my wonderful husband, or hold my precious babies.  He missed out on what I consider to be the most significant events in my life.  Boy, do I miss him.  Dear God, can I have him back for just one more day?  We could go out for breakfast, he could shake my husbands hand, I could pile the kids on his lap.  I could wrap my arms around him and tell him and tell him how much I love him.  So, to my friend, I would say to you...love your mom, wrap your arms around her and tell her that you love her, write down her advice in a journal, take her picture, take pictures of the two of you together, plop your baby in her lap, make memories and savor the time you have left with her.  For this is such a precious time, a gift, really.  How lucky you are to know that your time left with her is limited.  To be able to make every moment count. To say what you need to say and to BE with her.  I wish peace and love to her and to my dad.



Here is a picture of my Dad and my sister, Leisa.