(Photo taken a couple of years ago)
We came home early from holidays after an anxious week of calls to and from Mum and my brothers. They were with Dad at the hospital.
Almost every year he's hospitalized with his Chronic Lymphocytic Leukhemia. None of us knew if it was just another hospital visit that scared us silly - only for him to live again! He'd miraculously made it 16years when he was given 5 to live.
All holiday we were anxious. When do we go home? When should we go home? Should we go home?
Finally we got the call.
Mum, my brothers and Steve were all around Dad while he was taking his peaceful last breaths. Strong feelings of love, family, sorrow and finality were felt. We all anxiously watched, chatted about memories and life, holding onto his arm, or leg.
Even when you know it's coming - we've had 16 years notice - it's still an awfully heavy and deep shock.
When we left the hospital later that day, I somehow felt stronger, responsible. Such a magnificent man, such a wonderfully blessed existence we've all had sharing him and being loved by him. It's about time I reached my potential and was half the person he IS.
Regretfully life goes on. I remember his lessons, advice and impossible to comprehend empathy and charity for others. His awful but hilarious jokes, heart widening smiles and hugs, laughter that rings bells in my ears still today. The hundreds and thousands of people he has influenced, taught and re-directed along the way.
Such a magnificent legacy. I'm nothing but incredibly grateful that I was his one true little girl who was so loved by her Daddy. (Because there were so many more people that had a trusted friend and Father figure in him).
So now, time with Mum. I look forward to it every week and life is still just like this photo. We find evidence of his care for us all the time. Like he's still around and just wrote a note for us yesterday. xx
I love you Dad. You're the BEST! xx
