Dad Passed Away Today
This is the culmination of a two year long battle with lung cancer. He was a strong man. But the cancer widdled him away little by little; agonizing for sure, for us who watched in sorrow, powerless to help, and for him who had to experience it.
I cried at his funeral. Surprising because I never thought I would. But I did, like a baby. Perhaps he and I were closer than either of us realized. I knew I’d never see him again; him laying there in his red plad flanel hunting shirt. I remembered all the times as a nine year old boy that he took me to Altoona to catch the train to Pittsburgh on Sundays. I hated leaving home in those early years, and so I’d cry as I watched him outside the coach window waving good-bye to me. Sometimes as the train pulled away, he’d walk alongside and lightly knock on my window and smile assuringly at me. He’d stay out there until either the train got moving too fast for him to keep up, or he ran out of station platform to walk on.
He was a good Dad. Quiet at times though. I sometimes wish he and I would have had more father-and-son talks. But he provided well for us kids and Mom. She’ll not have to worry about running out of money to live. I hate that the fruits of all his many twelve hour days at work he will not see ripen. At least, I hope, Mom will.
We never had to worry about keeping warm. He liked building fires in our coal furnace and always kept our house in excellent repair. Rarely did he ever indulge himself. Almost all his money went to keeping his family sheltered, clothed, fed, and warm.
I regret that I didn’t tell him more that I loved him. But at least he heard it from me a few months before leaving forever. That day was such a high-meaning time for the both of us that I’ll save that story for another post.
He died way too young; he was only 61. But he was in such aweful pain that it was probably best that he went when he did.
I love you, Dad. Thanks for giving me such a good start in life. I am the man I am today largely because of the man you were. I was so privilaged to have you as my father and I want you to rest assured that I’ll never forget you and will always think fondly of you.
See ya ’round.