Monday, February 20, 2012

Finality... and beginning...



Ten days ago, my precious Daddy went home.

I was able to spend those last three days with him nonstop, along with my sister and my mom, and I don't have any regrets other than I just don't think there's ever enough time.

Have I mentioned that brain tumors are vicious and undignified and it is desperately hard to watch them inexorably overtake the life functions of someone you love?

The memorial service was yesterday. It is so strange to go on with life, to see everyone around doing everything as usual, as if nothing important had occurred, and yet I'm going on, too. And it's okay.

I am joyful to know without even the slightest doubt that my Daddy is fishing somewhere in heaven with his own daddy and maybe with Peter and James and John too. I have no fears that we can all manage... Mom, Beth, me... grief is a fascinating process and it has been interesting to me to go through it and YET to be able to view it impersonally, in a "meta" sort of way, to observe my responses and my feelings and to categorize them in somewhat clinical ways. I think it was one way my brain was able to cope with the intensity of emotion and stress.

I think that I have been able to make a further leap toward accepting who I am -- I am my father's daughter and I am so very much like him, and that's an awesome thing. Not so much a *responsibility*... no, I don't feel that I have to somehow fulfill some diaphanous beyond-the-grave destiny... it's not at all like that. It's just that I am more OKAY with who I am, with my flaws and needs and strengths and with who I've been all my life.

That has to be a good thing.

8 comments:

Chick Voice said...

You and the family are in my prayers. God Bless GDazz.

BlogDog said...

Don't be surprised if you find yourself laughing some time even as you think the sadness should still be overwhelming you. Release happens in strange ways.
Blessings be upon you all.

Anonymous said...

God bless. You and your family are in our prayers.
The Barackmans

Lori said...

So sorry for your loss, but rejoicing that your father is with Jesus!

Anwyn said...

I'm so sorry for your loss and glad you were able to be with him.

Lynn from St. Louis said...

What a beautiful tribute! It looks like your Dad enjoyed his life, family, and friends.
Death always comes as a shock- I think it is because God has put eternity in our hearts. I pray for God's comfort and encouragement for you and your family.

CGHill said...

I never know what to say at times like this.

Except maybe this: faith can and will sustain us, if we give it the chance.

tracey said...

GraD -- I am late to this, but I am so very sorry for your loss.