Sunday, November 26, 2006

My Dad…

Late at night on November 14th, just two weeks after his 75th birthday, my Dad made himself a drink (gin and caffeine free Mountain Dew on the rocks in a plastic tumbler with yellow smiley faces on it), sat down on the couch, turned on SportsCenter, and died in the blink of an eye. Dad said he always wanted to go that way. But for me, my family, and everyone who knew him, it was shocking. (“Good for him, bad for us,” my mom keeps saying.)

When I got the news, my thoughts and emotions raced, and the writer inside my head instantly began composing a eulogy. It was at the same time the easiest and toughest writing assignment I’ve ever had. It was easy in that it’s not difficult to find good things to say about my Dad. I’m pretty sure he never met anyone who didn’t like him--400 people came to his funeral. It was difficult in that I wasn’t sure if I could sum up the essence of my Dad in words. But writing about him truly helped me get through a few tough and surreal days. Writing helped me to process and heal.

In the 38 years I knew my Dad I never once saw him read a book. He read the newspaper and few websites every day, but it’s safe to say that he didn’t read a single novel after he finished school. That’s one of the many ways the two of us were different. But he was a wonderful guy, a great father and an enthusiastic grandpa (he read lots of books to Murray), and I’ll think about him every day.

So that’s why I haven’t posted in while. Monday I’m back to work after funeral leave and the holiday, and my life will get back to (almost) normal.

6 comments:

TinaFerraro said...

Alice, I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of your father, but I sure appreciated you posting the link to his obit so I could spend a few minutes celebrating his life. Losing a parent is difficult at any age, and you sure have my sympathies.

Tina Ferraro

Alison Ashley Formento said...

Writer or not, words really can't help in a time of loss. He reminds me of my dad--a builder, inventor, though not a reader of fiction. Remember all you can to share with those grandkids. Peace to you and yours. Alison

roz said...

Oh Alice, I'm so sorry to read of your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
My father in law passed suddenly this summer and we are all still trying to process.
Thank you for sharing your dads obit so that we can celebrate a wonderful man.

SAH said...

Sorry to hear about your dad. Take care.

Agyw said...

Oh Alice! I found your blog recently, how sad to come upon this news (my dad passed in a similar fashion-- though for him it was a crossword puzzle, jeopardy and walking the dog. I took a curious comfort sleeping in the chair he died in, because I was not at home when he passed).

He sounds like a wonderful, kind person, deepest sympathy for your loss. Your post is a beautiful celebration of his life. My thoughts are with you and yours.

Meg said...

It's no surprise that he was a wonderful man--he raised a wonderful daughter.