On the 23rd of June We Got the News That Dad Had Passed Away
Ilene and I were still in Helena, MT and were working our way to Tacoma to see him this summer…but it wasn’t to be. He’d fallen down at home and hurt himself pretty bad; bad enough to go to the hospital even though he was under hospice care.
Dan had notified all of us about the fall and the doctors expecting him to be in the hospital for a couple of days. However, not too long afterward the hospital called to let Dan know Dad probably wouldn’t last must longer.
Needless to say the news came as a shock and it was hard to get my mind around the fact that my father was gone.
Fortunately we had flown up to Tacoma earlier in the year and spent time with him as well as having spent time with him the entire summer before. But one can’t help but question whether it was enough.
Dad was always the kind of Pop who didn’t want to be a bother. He found it tough to lose his mobility, first with a cane, then a walker, and finally into a wheelchair. Losing his ability to drive was tough on him as well.
His losses over the previous year took a toll on him as well, first the loss of his baby sister then the loss of his companion of over 20 years, Nelda. I think Dad felt pretty lonely after Nelda’s passing even though Dan, Juan, Mark and Carol tried to spend as much time as they could with him. It just wasn’t the same.
I’ll always remember Pop as being the kind, even-keeled, and just everyone’s friend. He loved his PBR, Pabst Blue Ribbon, beer; why not since he worked at one of their breweries back in Peoria when he was younger.
Dad worked hard to provide for four kids and my mom. Family vacations other than when we were in Illinois were few and far between but we always felt blessed to have a father who really cared about us.
When all of us left to make our own ways in life, Dad bought a motorcycle, a boat and even a golf cart business. Fortunately the motorcycle and boat lasted longer than the golf cart business. He finally had the time and money for himself, even so, he was always there for us.
One of the highlights of the last few years was the Alaska cruise we all took on Dad’s dime. He kept telling us he wanted to leave us a legacy and we encouraged him to spend his money and enjoy life while he could. He was already in a Hoveround Chair and we knew it wouldn’t be long before he couldn’t go on long trips.
We were so blessed to have this man as our father, our Pop! I already miss him but know he’s in a good place and someday we’ll be there with him.
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