Reflections on DadMarch 12, 2008 8:28 am
Today marks six months since Dad died. Lately, the reality of his death has come back to shock me. I walk around a corner and I feel suckerpunched. There are moments where it’s hard to breathe. Six months since hearing his voice or giving him a hug. I am immensely thankful for my mom and brother, who have lived through these six months with such honesty and grace.
Tyler,
I think of you often with regards to losing your Dad. One of my closest friends just lost her Mom very suddenly, and as I walk through her grief with her, I frequently think of your journey through loss as well. We remember you in our prayers.
Comment by Erika Haub — March 12, 2008 @ 3:32 pm
I lost my dad when I was in college. I loved and deeply respected him and still feel the loss at 50.
That may or may not be good news for you :^)
I hope you’ll eventually try to get the way you feel about your father into more formal and extended words.
Sounds like your relationship was truly life giving.
Lots of folks need a model more than they need a doctrine.
Comment by Tom Pratt — March 12, 2008 @ 8:52 pm
Thanks, friends.
Comment by Tyler Watson — March 13, 2008 @ 8:54 am
It’s a strange feeling for me when I can’t remember exactly how my dad sounded when he would speak. It’s kind of like when there’s a word on the tip of your tongue but you just can’t get it out. It’s been six years. Death is the most certain thing in the world, yet it is so unbelievable at times.
Comment by Tim Miller — March 28, 2008 @ 1:55 am
Tim, your words resonate with me greatly. The day after Dad died, I awoke in terror that I was going to forget the little things about him—the sound of his voice, the way he laughed at my wife’s more colorful stories from the gynecology floor at the hospital, that despite being a hardware store owner, he was somewhat clumsy and always found a way to bruise his hands.
Comment by Tyler Watson — March 28, 2008 @ 3:34 pm