10 years ago today, I was stationed at 29 Palms, CA. Nobody likes getting phone calls in the wee hours of the night. In fact when I heard my phone ring that early morning I thought to myself as I begrudgingly listened to the ring “who in the world is calling at THIS hour?” (It was roughly the 3 am hour.) However, as quickly as I heard and thought the question, the next thought shoved the previous out of my head “DADDY”! You see, Daddy had been in the hospital about two weeks at this point, and things were getting pretty dicey. In fact, I had been making it a point to sleep with my phone next to me because I didnt want to miss any calls from GA. I frantically got out of bed, ran to the next room, and grabbed my phone. I unsuccessfully recalled the last number. Then I called my grandmother’s house to no avail, as everybody, except my uncle had left. He said everybody was called to the hospital – the words NOBODY wants to hear whether you live local or far away. The family was making their way to Emory from Gainesville in the morning traffic hours. I kept trying and trying to get in touch with somebody and finally my cousin Bryan answered my aunt’s phone. For me the moment is still so surreal. He explained to me they were waiting on the doctor to come in and speak with us. And just as soon as he said they were waiting, he said the doctor walked in. I could hear the doctor talking but I couldn’t make out the words, but I didn’t have to. The shrieks and cries I heard from the room told me what nobody wants to hear. Daddy was gone. The last thing I remember about that immediate moment is Bryan telling me how sorry he was. I know I sat in bed for a while but then everything went foggy. To grieve a lost parent is process that never ends. You learn to put the hurt and emptiness aside and continue living. Was he a perfect man? No, nor have I ever said he was… but then are any of us perfect? He is my father, and yes I miss him greatly.
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 13:23:57 +0000