Posted on 05/18/2004 4:31:02 PM PDT by GeronL
On the evening of May 5th I heard my father call me from the living room. I was there within a few seconds to see him collapse to the floor gasping. He was not choking, but it sure seemed close.
I called 9-1-1 immediately and then called family and friends. They live close by.
The paramedics took their time after they parked and were rude and brusque. Three of his children,me included, were outside the apartment crying. They said it did not look good, he was not responding.
We were all at the hospital when they told us he had passed on. When we were ready, they said, we could see his body. They took it to the morgue before we could.
The days have been a blur since then. I have not been back to FR at all until now. I have come by the apartment a few times to feed the cat and water the plants.
I am still in a state of disbelief since the shock wore off.
He had a few marriages, had two daughters with a wife named Doris. They are both nearing fifty now and only one of them attended the funeral.
He married my mother Nora Ann and they stayed together until her death (murder) almost exactly 20 years ago. They had five children, although the oldest had been born before they met. Me, my brother and three sisters might be poor, but we had the best parents.
He worked in the City of Irving Sanitation Department for a very long time driving (operating) heavy equipment. He retired about a decade ago after major surgery resulted from complications of appendicitis.
He was a good man, the best I'll ever know. He was loved dearly by all those who knew him. I stayed by his side when he was in the hospital a decade ago. I have lived with him since. He has seemed strong for most of that time and did not need help. I was the one being helped.
Immediately after the funeral ended, it began to rain. People were soon running for their cars and I was soon alone with the casket and the man who would lower it. I could think of nothing to say except "Bye Daddy".
Be strong, bud.
Prayers and sympathy for you and your family.
It has been 9 years since I lost my Dad I miss him all the time. Only my faith has consoled me that I will get to see him again. He died suddenly of a heart attack and I was 200 miles away. The pain of the sudden loss and not being with him was horrible. Just remember love never dies. It wasn't until my Dad died that I began to notice through the little things I do, how much I am like him. We both love to garden for example and water things by hand. Its when I do things like that , or can vegetables that I feel closest to him. I am sorry for your loss.
I am so very sorry. May you and yours be comforted by God at this time. That was a lovely tribute you wrote for your dear Dad. May he Rest In Peace. Hang in there, GeronL. Sounds like your Dad was a wonderful person and you, a wonderful son. Hold your Dad close to your heart and cherish the wonderful memories you have of him.
"Bye Daddy, I love you".
My Dad died suddenly when I was 11 years old, I was alone with my Dad and called for help, I can relate to what you are going through. I will never forget that day. God Bless All.
My deepest condolences on your loss. May the Lord comfort you and your family. Requiescat in pace, et lux perpetua luceat ei.
Geron, I am so sorry that you have lost your beloved Dad. It is so shocking to lose someone that quickly. Your Dad will be watching over you from Heaven. He is already proud of you for being the one who stayed with him and loved him unconditionally.
My sincerest condolences to you and your siblings.
May our Heavenly Father surround you and the family with His peace at this difficult time.
"I can never hope to be the man Dad was, in his devotion and service to family, community, and country."
So well put! I lost my Dad (Thomas Ward) in April 1981 at the age of 58. There will never be another like him and I miss him every day. A smiling photo of him in uniform in Paris in WWII is over my desk; it gives me inspiration when I'm down, and encourages me to be as good a father as I can be.
Fathers are the people who kill the dragons under your bed when you're a child, and teach you how to handle the real ones when you grow up.
My prayers and thoughts will be with you.
TC
Prayers for you both...
I am so sorry. Your Daddy must of been a real good man. Your tribute was very sweet.
I do know what you're going through, GeronL. I lost
my Daddy two years ago this month. I love him and
my Momma also, who passed away almost 5 yrs. ago. I'm
so sorry you're having to go through this, but I guess,
as Daddy said so many times, "It's reality." It seems
like so many times the health care providers seem to
make matters worse in times like these. I sometimes
think some of them get a bit callous or perhaps caught
in the middle of rules and regulations and frustrations.
You have my sincere sympathy. As children, we wish we
could have made everything completely comfortable and
perfect for them in their final days. I'll always love
and miss them.
God bless and I'll be praying for you.
Æ
I'd give just about anything just to go fishing with my father again. When the time is right you will have the comfort of your memories.
Prayers for you my friend.
May God bring you comfort during this time of sorrow and grief. So very sorry.
I'm so sorry, GeronL. Prayers on the way for your father's soul, you, and the rest of your family.
I too was at a total loss for words when my dad passed in my arms. We were never close, and I wished I had knew him better.
But I think he knows that.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.