A small tribute to my dad! On this day 6 years ago my dad, Mackie Harwood passed away! I think back of a humorous story shortly before he passed. He was at Memorial Hospital. I got a late morning call that he had taken a turn for the worse and the family was called in for the inevitable. As I reached the bedside I could tell he was not doing well and he was nearing the end. I quickly sat down at the bedside, kissed him on the forehead and gave him a hug. He was a man of few words, his face was easier to read than his words. I could tell by the color of his skin, his vitals and his breathing pattern he was deteriorating. He was struggling to breathe and having an even tougher time saying anything. But with a choppy sentence he managed to say as be looked deeply into my eyes, Donny, I think Im dying! I had resolved that after his long battle with cancer and other health issues, I too felt it was surely the end and yes he was dying. With this signal, I began to grasp what I could of what remained. I again kissed him on the forehead, ran my fingers through his hair, gave his frail body a final hug and started preparing for his final departure. The ICU monitors were reflecting what I knew was his end. I gently placed my hand on his forehead and closed his staring eyes and whispered to him, Dad, its ok......go your struggles are over. After a moment of silence and what I was sure was his final breath I felt his eyelashes flutter under my palm and his left arm began moving toward my hand now covering his eyes. My pulse quickened as I was truly surprised by his purposeful movement this close to his death. I quickly removed my hand and he looked up at me in a way only he could and said Not yet damn it, I didnt say right now, then he shot me a half grin and slipped into eternity. I grinned and realized he went out his way! This was my dad, although at this time , his quirkiness and wit surprised me, which left me with thoughts, what had I missed while he was alive. My dad was a man of small stature and a demeanor few understood with a dry sense of humor.He spoke his mind freely and you never had to doubt where you stood with him. He lived with a handful of regret and pain, some self induced some not, but yet he lived and died how he wanted. He was most proud of his 3 children and his grandkids, Pop Pop they called him. Rest in Peace dad, you deserve the rest and by the way.....I wasnt rushing things! My timing has always been a little off! Haha! Love ya dad!
Posted on: Fri, 04 Apr 2014 13:59:32 +0000