Thursday, May 1, 2008

Rest In Peace Pop

On April 17th, my father passed away at home, as was his wish. We brought him home 10 days earlier, took care of him, and while he wasn't able to communicate with us in his last days, we feel he knew he was home, that he was loved, that he wasn't alone.

He's been away from us two weeks today already, and my whole family is struggling. My Pop was the trouble-maker of the family (my brother, sister and I try, but in the end, he was the master of making us laugh). He was the "Man" of the house, sitting in his chair smoking his cigars and picking the television viewing for the evening. He was also the smartest person I've ever met, he read like he couldn't get enough and remembered everything.

When it was time to pick a passage for my Father's service, it was easy for all four of us to agree on the following by Ralph Waldo Emerson:

"To laugh often and much; to win the
respect of intelligent people and the
affection of children; to earn the
appreciation of honest critics and
endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate
beauty; to find the best in
others; to leave the world a bit better
whether by a healthy child, a garden
patch, or a redeemed social condition;
to know even one life has breathed easier because you lived.
This is to have succeeded."
There are lots of things I'll miss about my Pop, most of which I can't write about because it chokes me up. I just pray he's in a better place, watching over all of us, so one day I'll see him again and he can tell me some new stories and make me laugh, I'll miss the laughs. I'll miss watching shoot em up movies, arguing over the dinner table, his funny sayings, and his laugh. I may share more about my Pop in the next days or weeks, I may not. I don't know what will feel right.
Thank you to all of you who sent well wishes, they were much appreciated.
Now I'm going to go watch my Pop's favorite John Wayne movie (he had a massive John Wayne movie collection) and think of him, I think that would make him happy.

4 comments:

Sereknitty said...

I'm so sorry for your loss ... thanks for sharing.

Connie said...

What sweet words for your dad and how wonderful that he knew you all loved him so.

My dad also loved John Wayne movies...he couldn't get enough of westerns, he even had a holster and gun and could quick draw.

Know that we care and my prayers are with you and your family.

MrsPurls said...

I'm sorry to hear your father passed! You and your family will be in our prayers. You Dad will always be with you by caring on his legacy. Many blessing!

Michelle said...

Rose I have been thinking of you and your family.

*hugs*