Ten years ago I lost someone very special to me. Realizing I took that for granted now that he is no longer around. My dad was a big man not just in his build, but his personality, his compassion for his kids. Nothing else mattered to him but our happiness. When he became ill, all that changed. He became this dark, unhappy person who seemed couldn't wait to go on to his next place. In the short time that we had left with him, my siblings and I took turns caring for him. My turn was not a good experience for me. He didn't know me while I was there. That was tough. I sensed these dark shadows there, just lingering, waiting for him. My daughter was with me, at the time she was six. I was awakened one night by her terrified scream. My step mom, the dog and myself ran to her side to comfort her, she said she had a bad dream. Was that connected as well? The darkness was to overwhelming for me, I just wanted to leave.
My dad always called me "baby". When I was telling him goodbye, he asked me, "Are you coming back baby?". It was the first time since I had been there in three days that he new who I was. I answered him with a cold harsh "Yeah I'll be back"... And then I turned and walked away. At the time my dad lived five hours away from me, so I couldn't just run back over there. I never spoke to my dad again. I live with that regret still everyday. Why did I let those dark feelings drive me away from the one person who was there for me every step of my life? And does my dad know how much I love him, and how much I miss him? I tell him all the time but there still isn't any closer there for me.