I haven’t written much of anything since my Dad passed in April. I think big difficult moments require time and working out the emotions in your head and through your loved ones, before it’s right to write about it. That’s just me, though. My Dad was an amazing person who was not perfect by any means, but he did a lot of good in this world. I had the honor of writing the eulogy and reading it at my Dad’s funeral. Perhaps that responsibility drained me for a while. My dad is a common character in many of my poems written over these past 10 years.

Almost 10 years ago, I was in a health crisis and was lucky enough to have two healthy parents who could help take care of me. In 2022, when my Dad started to decline, it was rapid and heartbreaking. The last real conversation I had with him was when he and Mom visited our new home for the first time. We didn’t have much furniture yet, but we had a table and chairs to eat dinner. I don’t remember what we ate, but just that Dad was happy and making jokes. At my wedding, my Dad was there and even danced a little, though he was in mental and physical decline. The last words we said to each other was “I love you” an hour before he passed.

I have called 911 for him each time after multiple strokes, was there in the hospital with him many times over 3 years. I’m glad I got to show my Dad in his weakest and most difficult state that I was there for him, just like he was there for me. And I’m there for my Mom too. What a blessing it is to love and be loved by your parents.