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".
I was saddened to hear your news.
May God bless and comfort you and your family.
I'm terribly sorry about your loss. Prayers are being sent your way.
Wow - I'm so sorry for your loss - Your words brought tears to my eyes, because my dad is also getting up in years. I talk to him at least once a week, and see him about every month even though there is a distance between us. We always have a great time even though he's a liberal.
I'm going to call him now and tell him how much I love and respect him. I'm so sorry for your loss - my prayers are out to you and your family.
M. Peach
I know as best as anyone can how you must feel.
It's a hole that won't ever go away contrary to what some folks say.
God bless your dad and God bless you.
God bless you, FRiend. Our prayers are with you...
Condolences GeronL to you, your family and all friends of your dad. A tribute to a great father from a thankful son is part of the love that connects us. His greatness lives on through you.
Prayer bump!
I was raised poor, too. But, they love that my parents gave me along with the ability to give love in return has made me wealthy beyond measure.
It sounds like you were a good son and that your Dad is looking down on you with pride right now. May God help you and your family through this time of sorrow.
I am sorry for your pain and loss.
Jim
reading your account of your fathers' death brought vivid memories to me. My father died the same way, just collapsing on the floor in his home , with my mother at his side, in 1994. I have never got over the loss of him and then my mother in 1996. I want you to know that I will be praying for you. It is one of the most difficult experiences I have had in my life to go through. My dear hubby was born in 1938 so not much difference in your dads age.
I am so sorry for your loss.
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I am deeply sorry for your loss.....
I've been wrestling over what I might add to this thread to offer my heartfelt sympathies and acknowledge the gravity of your loss in an appropriate manner. Words fail me as they all too often do . . .
My own father, still alive and well, is the same age. My mother, a year older, is a picture of wellness. I have yet to stare into this abyss, drink from this cup . . .
I admire your reverence for your father and your promise to him. Countless are the number of times I've had to listen to selfish individuals as they rail against their parents for some perceived slight in their own lives, summarily disregarding the sacrifices made by their parents over the years in order to provide them with help, comfort, guidance and love.
Friends and family are all we have of any importance in this temporal existence; everything else is just window dressing.
Hopefully this thread will soften the hearts of individuals who are convinced of the appropriateness of the axe they may be grinding over a friend or family member. For their own sake they need to reconcile their relationships now, before it is too late and the opportunity to do so slips away.
My condolences for your loss.
My condoleances
I'm so sorry for your loss. May your Dad rest in peace.We lost Mom three years ago last January. Dad just made his 73rd birthday.
It's been hard for him after Mom was gone, and for me and my brother.
that was very touching. I am very sorry for your loss and pray that God will give your family strength and healing during this time.
Not true. You gave this testimony. It's a wonderful legacy of love and I am glad I got to read it. Thanks from a dad.
So sorry to hear this, friend. Belated but heartfelt prayers and condolences to you and yours. (First time I see this thread).
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