My father, Peter, died on August 11. We were all with him - my brother, mother, and I. We were holding him and telling him we loved him, and his favorite music was playing. After three difficult years with dementia, he got to go with love and support all around him.
And I just want to tell you about him. I got blessed in this lifetime with a marvelous, marvelous father. He was kind, emotionally aware, present, and loving. He was wise beyond belief, and was who I turned to for comfort and understanding. Even when dementia clouded him, he was still so full of love and joy. When I would call, I'd ask, "how are you?!" and he'd reply, "the better for talking to you!"
My dad was a professor for 30+ years, and married to my mother for 43 years. She was his caregiver until the last and he loved her fiercely. He spoke five languages (a total polyglot!), loved African proverbs, classical music, and Gordon Lightfoot, and deeply believed in this world and the beings on it. He was curious, generous, and deeply spiritual. He passed much of this on to me - which I cherish.
My grief has been vast and enormous and wide, but I also see him in me and everywhere. Once, when I asked him what I would ever do when I lost him, he replied, "we live on in you!" ... I am doing my best to carry that with me.
We laid him to rest with countless people around. He was a beloved and cherished member of his community, my family (which spans generations, cultures, and continents), and his loving church of almost 50 years.
I will miss him with my whole soul and already do, but I know I was so lucky to get to have him in this lifetime.
Once I asked, "what do you think of death, dad?" and he replied, "why, it's the next great adventure!"
So I hope you're having a good adventure, daddy. I will love you forever and see you in the sky and stars. Love, your pumpkin pie.