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Because sometimes a status update just isn't enough.

Because sometimes a status update just isn't enough.

08 January 2012

The long good-bye...

My dad has been ill with terminal stomach cancer since June.

He passed away about half an hour ago, in his bed, in his home, with my mother at his side.

He was 91.  He was an enigma, my dad... one of the most brilliant men I've ever known.  He was an academic, an artist, a war hero.  He achieved amazing goals, he committed terrible sins, he searched for redemption.  My dad could charm, he could wound, he could destroy, he could create.  

He nurtured in me a love of reading, a love of writing, a love of art.  While his amazing gift of drawing completely skipped past me, it landed in my three boys, whose talents in putting beauty on canvass have been blowing my mind for the past 25 years.

I am who I am, because of my dad.

I am who I am, in spite of my dad.

I don't know how to feel right now.  I'm thankful he was finally able to let go, to find his peace, to leave his earthly body that was so sick, so frail.  I'm devastated that my daddy died.  

Via con Dios, Daddy...




15 comments:

  1. I am so sorry for your loss. Cancer is a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad thing and the holes it leaves in your family is worse than the illness itself.

    By your tribute to him, it sounds like he lived a long and productive life, but you can still keep him alive in your mind and in your heart.

    Hugs to you, lady.

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  2. It's clear that the sum total of his attributes, his unintended legacy is living in you and your boys. Wonderful humans.
    I'm so sorry for your loss darling. My thoughts are with you at this sad and confusing time.

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  3. So sorry for your loss and tat you are so far from "home". How wonderful to know how he lives on in you and your boys...

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  4. Those we love ... while gone from our sight ... will be forever in our hearts.

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  5. Oh, sweetie....I wish I had words that would comfort. I'm sorry for your loss, and glad that your dad now has peace and is pain-free.

    Virtual hugs to you, Dani.

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  6. I am so sorry for you loss :(

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  7. Dani - I am so sorry to hear this, but am glad that he is finally out of pain. I know how you have been suffering as well waiting for the end, and hope that you and your family can finally have some semblance of peace as well. My thoughts are with you at this painful time. Big hugs to you, my friend.

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  8. So sorry Honey. I'll be thinking about you and your family...

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  9. Dani I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my mom last year and it still hurts. I am keeping you and your family in my prayers.

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  10. Wow, DaniGirl.... what an Ah~mazingly Beautiful tribute to your Daddy!

    Much Love & Light as you and your boys are in my thoughts and prayers during this time <3

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  11. Thank you all so much for your kind words of love and comfort! I appreciate it so very much.

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  12. I am so sorry to hear about your loss Dani. My thoughts are with you and your family.

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  13. I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I know this has been dragging on for sometime and hopefully you can find some peace that he is no longer suffering. I don't know what your spiritual/religious beliefs are, but I'm all holy and shit so please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. ((HUGS))

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