Jazz&Cricket
September 28th, 2005, 08:33 AM
A year ago this morning, I received the phone call that all adult children dread. My 86 year old father had died. It came as a shock since he had not been visibly ill. My dad, died in his sleep, at home. I am fortunate to know that his last hours were lived as he would have wished. He had seen all his children ( 8 of us) in the last few days before he died. My older brother had just returned from seeing his sons in BC and spent the day with dad. I had seen him the week before, and I am grateful that fate took me to our family home that day. I have the last picture taken of my dad. He's sitting is his favourite chair, looking out the big picture window at the chickadees in the pine trees, his faithful companion, Tippy, a little black dog, is at his feet. I treasure that photo.
My dad loved the Blue Jays, and the last game he watched, the Jays won. He enjoyed his cookies and a glass of milk before retiring for the night. He usually dozed off watching tv..usually a 'duster' as he liked to call western movies. My dad never did get to his bed. He fell asleep on the couch, and that's where my mom found him.
As I was the furthest from home, I was worried that I would not get to see my dad before the coroner's office came. But I did. My dad looked like he was sleeping, there was a faint smile on his face, no signs of distress, so I know his final moments were peaceful.
My dad didn't want any services and we all agreed that his wishes would be granted. We took my dad's ashes, and spread them on the Canadian Shield that he loved, below the pine trees that graced his property.
The day after my dad died, a beautiful bald eagle circled around my farm fields for about an hour....I think it was my dad's spirit letting me know all was well.
If you can...give your dad a hug for me. It's hard to believe a year has gone by already.
My dad loved the Blue Jays, and the last game he watched, the Jays won. He enjoyed his cookies and a glass of milk before retiring for the night. He usually dozed off watching tv..usually a 'duster' as he liked to call western movies. My dad never did get to his bed. He fell asleep on the couch, and that's where my mom found him.
As I was the furthest from home, I was worried that I would not get to see my dad before the coroner's office came. But I did. My dad looked like he was sleeping, there was a faint smile on his face, no signs of distress, so I know his final moments were peaceful.
My dad didn't want any services and we all agreed that his wishes would be granted. We took my dad's ashes, and spread them on the Canadian Shield that he loved, below the pine trees that graced his property.
The day after my dad died, a beautiful bald eagle circled around my farm fields for about an hour....I think it was my dad's spirit letting me know all was well.
If you can...give your dad a hug for me. It's hard to believe a year has gone by already.