Two years ago Pastor JT called me and told me my dad had shipped off to heaven – this was the last photo taken of him and my kids just a couple weeks before he left us… he doesn’t even look sick but he’d had cancer of the esophaugus for almost 1 year. I wish my brother and his children were able to see dad before he was gone. Some days it feels like just yesterday that we could call him on the phone and talk to him about what was wrong with our car or how Grandma made some special recipe.
I clearly remember the last conversation we had – I was crying at his church and he asked me what was wrong. I couldn’t believe he could ask me that question. With tears in my eyes I told him that I knew I’d never see him again and his simple response was – well, you’re going to see me in heaven. I told him that wasn’t good enough; I wanted him here still.
I’m glad I still have my brother; he’s been my rock through loosing dad, my step-mother throwing me out of dad’s house and refusing to honor his will, and the grief that we’ve both experienced in the past two years.