Happy Father's Day, Dad...I Miss You
Well, I knew I'd write about my Dad at some point, in this place called "my blog", but I wasn't sure when. It's my first Father's Day without my beloved Dad, "Donald Delano Wright." My Dad had been in very good health, until October 2007, when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He was seventy-two years old. The doctors told us that they couldn't cure him, but that they could help prolong his life for awhile.
He had two brain surgeries and lots of radiation...He opted out on the offer of chemotherapy, a decision we all agreed with. We didn't want to see this precious man suffer anymore than he had to. Dad turned out to be one of the toughest people I've ever known. He didn't complain...He said that he was glad that it was him, and not anyone else in the family.
My Dad was simply a great guy...He was sweet, kind, and considerate. He was a compassionate man who cared about people. He was a very well read political historian. One of the things I most admired about my Dad, was that he never "blew his own horn." He did many wonderful and important things in his lifetime, and never once bragged about any of them.
The radiation on his brain slowly changed him. He couldn't remember things...simple things...I started washing his hair for him, and trimming his fingernails on a regular basis. He would only let me do these things. We were very close, and during the fourteen months that he lived with cancer,(He died on November 21, 2007, the day before Thanksgiving), there were many tender, beautiful moments, that I hope I will never forget, even though they bring me pain.
I would say to my Dad, "You're the best", and he would reply, "You are", and smile. During his last days, I said my part, and he just mouthed the words "You are", back to me. My Dad hated to be cold, and my sister and I bought him a warm fleece robe, and a down comforter. I would often just lay down next to my Dad, and put my arms around him...I think that's what he needed the most.
Before my Dad became ill, I used to call him to help me with things when I needed someone to pick something up at the grocery store, the pharmacy (If I was home with a sick child, etc)...He's still the first one I think of, when I need someone to do one of these kinds of things for me...He's actually the only one, as I can't think of anyone else who's around during the day, and who I'd be comfortable asking for such a favor.
I feel like part of my heart is missing, actually...But I know that I was very lucky to have my Dad for forty~four years of my life, and that's more than a lot of people get. I hope he's in heaven, reading a good mystery, and drinking a cup of tea by a warm fire.
Happy Father's Day, Dad...I miss you...You're the best...Love, Katie
