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Dear Dad,
I know you’ll never read this but I wanted to take a few minutes
and tell the world how very much you mean to me and Maureen.
We miss so many things about you; your laugh, your smile, your once bright eyes,
the way you used to drive Mom nuts whenever you tried to sing,
how proud you were of your wonderful grandchildren,
even the way you used to wrap yourself up like a mummy whenever we went to the beach so you wouldn’t go all ‘lobster’ on us.
I’ll be visiting you this Sunday and will undoubtedly feed you lunch,
maybe give you a shave if you need one.
It’s really sad that there isn’t more I can do.
But at least I can do that.
I haven’t been keeping up with the Red Sox like I used to either.
That was something I did when you were better so we’d have something to talk about besides the weather.
These days the weather isn’t worth talking about anyway.
I saw an older man sitting on a bench on the Boston Common the other day that looked just like you.
I absentmindedly started walking faster towards you him before I caught myself.
He wasn’t you.
He could never be you.
Then again no one could ever be the man I call my father except for you.
On Sunday, Maureen and I pray a small part of you knows how special you have always been to us
and will continue to be.
Maureen says it best when she gently puts her hand on your cheek and says,
“You are the greatest Dad ever, you know that don’t you?”
And so I will say, “Happy Father’s Day, Dad,”
because in my heart I know you’re still in there somewhere.
Much love, Papa Wally
Much love . . .
{{{hugs}}} for you all ~m…..
That picture looks eerily just like my dad, esp. in the later years.
I tear up just looking at the picture.
Your Dad is a wonderful man and perhaps he’s a
‘fallen angel’ just waiting….it reminds me of your piece on fallen angels for some reason.
Fallen angels are good and help us to see things in a different perspective.
I’m sure he knows he’s special to you and Maureen in his heart.
He’s very proud of the Dad and son you are.
You’re the man you are, because of him.
Enjoy your Father’s Day! Your girls are the best (all 4 of them).
Relax and have fun! Happy Father’s Day!
I read these posts about your dad, and then I start thinking about my dad and start crying and don’t have anything but tears to share.
.-= PiedType´s last blog ..I’m not apologizing for something I didn’t do =-.
Oh you’ve made me cry, M. Yesterday, we went to see “UP” and the strangest thing got to me–it was the age spots on the back of the main character’s hand. It recalled to mind the spotty, gnarly hands of my father and I just bawled, right there in the theatre while the kids and their parents roared with laughter.
I know. I know.
Kat
.-= Poetikat´s last blog ..OSI: “walls” =-.
He knows (and your mom knows) that you and Maureen are there.
You have to believe that.
His and Her physical being might not be how it once was, but their souls are strong and intact.
It is sad and I cry with you.
You are a good son and he taught you how to be a good father.
Happy Father’s Day to you as well.
michael,
thank you for laying bare your soul about this very special man you call father. i have the greatest urge to go there and just give him a hug. he is in there somewhere – i know it in my heart. and whether you know it or not, you are reaching that place, even though he can’t tell you so.
hugs,
sarah
i found this especially touching. i’ve seen many family members struggle with the memory loss of their fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, and i feel so proud of them. Sometimes, we forget the utter pain, and cannot fathom the unique type of loss, family members go through with these dementias.
God bless you and your father. Keep doing what you’re doing. It is my personal belief that he knows with his core, and appreciates, that you are there. He loves you from that core. Please! Know and take some comfort in that.
~c
.-= c´s last blog ..Theme Fridays: a memory =-.