It is with great sadness, that I must share with you that my dad passed away at 8:12 tonight.
My sisters and our families were able to spend some quality time with him, after what we thought was some type of coma he slipped into. When they removed the device forcing him to breath, he awoke (and quite honestly surprised the shit out of me). He was able to acknowledge all of my kids, they all told him what they loved the most about him, and they love him. I told him he'd better get well, or I'm going to have to buy the first pitch of overpriced piss warm beer at the Will County Fair this year and take his woman (my mom) as my date. ...and then after some other tender moments, my mom and the families of my sisters and I left for home. My father then peacefully passed away.
I'm so thankful he didn't suffer too long, from the time he initially went in to the hospital, it's been less than a month. ...I understand in some instances, this downward spiral can last as long as two years.
I visited him Saturday Night, and he was clearly fading fast, and the toughest times for me have been when I'm alone logging windshield time. ...and trust me - I spend plent of time driving alone.
You guys may not know this, but in talking to some of you at remotes, etc. it's been very therapeutic and helpful for me. However, I don't want to hear any more crap that I'm 'deeper' than I let on though - and you know who you are!
. At my core I'm a die hard Bears fan, and a meatball White Sox fan (and loather of Cub fans).
Love the ones your with, cherish every moment you have - and above all - don't sweat the petty shit amongst family members (or with friends) - life is far too short.
I honor my father tonight, with my trusty sidekick, my son and lil best buddy, Max sitting beside me - as he just read this aloud to me, and we shared a special father son 'man' hug:
The Dashcopyright 1996 Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth...
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars....the house...the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard...
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile...
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read
with your life's actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they
say about how you spend your dash?
God bless all of you, your families and your friends.
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