Thanks for all the kind words. This has been a really, really tough few days. My dad had a massive heart attack Thursday morning. There was no time to say anything at all. One minute he's asleep, the next he was gasping for air as my mom called 911. He held on, unconcious and on life support, for 4 days. With no hope of recovery, his ventilation tube was removed. He died 6 minutes later. Everyone, cherish every single moment you have with your loved ones. You never know when it will be your last. I never got a chance to say goodbye. This song always made me think of my dad: A child arrived just the other day, He came to the world in the usual way. But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay. He learned to walk while I was away. And he was talking 'fore I knew it, and as he grew, He'd say, "I'm gonna be like you, dad. You know I'm gonna be like you." And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon, Little boy blue and the man in the moon. "When you coming home, dad?" "I don't know when, But we'll get together then. You know we'll have a good time then." My son turned ten just the other day. He said, "Thanks for the ball, dad, come on let's play. Can you teach me to throw?" I said, "Not today, I got a lot to do." He said, "That's ok." And he walked away, but his smile never dimmed, Said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah. You know I'm gonna be like him." And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon, Little boy blue and the man in the moon. "When you coming home, dad?" "I don't know when, But we'll get together then. You know we'll have a good time then." Well, he came from college just the other day, So much like a man I just had to say, "Son, I'm proud of you. Can you sit for a while?" He shook his head, and he said with a smile, "What I'd really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys. See you later. Can I have them please?" And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon, Little boy blue and the man in the moon. "When you coming home, son?" "I don't know when, But we'll get together then, dad. You know we'll have a good time then." I've long since retired and my son's moved away. I called him up just the other day. I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind." He said, "I'd love to, dad, if I could find the time. You see, my new job's a hassle, and the kid's got the flu, But it's sure nice talking to you, dad. It's been sure nice talking to you." And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me, He'd grown up just like me. My boy was just like me. And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon, Little boy blue and the man in the moon. "When you coming home, son?" "I don't know when, But we'll get together then, dad. You know we'll have a good time then."
Behad... I'm really sorry. The same thing happened to my dad a while back, except without the part about the life support. It was just over so quickly. Life has just turned into this weird twilight zone since then... but, of course, you get through it. I hope your mom will be OK. Mine actually turned out to be a lot stronger than I thought she would be. Sorry about not having time to say goodbye. I sort of did... I knew he was feeling bad and having possible cardiac symptoms, did the usual thing by calling and asking if he was sure he didn't want to go straight to the ER instead of waiting for his appointment. We tried to reassure each other it would be all right. Usually it was. Not this time. But at least he knew I cared and was trying to make sure things were OK between us. When it was late and there wasn't much to say, we said we'd catch up the next day and I turned the phone off on the way home, going over the bridge. It occurred to me that what if that was the last time I talked to my dad on this earth... sad to know that I was right that time. But, what more can you do? I think about it every time I go over that bridge at night. (Not sure if these random stories will make you feel better... hope they don't make it worse. I guess it's just that other people have gone through the same thing.) Hopefully we will meet our fathers again in some better time and place.
Thanks Isabel. Right now any story is better than going to bed and closing my eyes. That's when it's hardest to deal with. There was no warning at all. Dad's family had a history of heart trouble, so he was a stickler for getting his checkups done and seeing a cardiologist regularly. At no time was there any known problems.
Sorry to hear that. I too know what is like to lose a parent. I lost my mother in '94 to cancer. My prayers are with you & your family. +
Bill. I havent prayed in years....but I will tonight. my deepest condolences to you and your family. You are a good guy, and Im sure that your family will find the strength to deal with this through your strength. ++
It's a bad week here... I just found out my father-in-law passed away. It was also sudden and unexpected. Why is life so short??? It's just not fair.
