Thanks, Dad

It has been a year since my Dad passed away. Leo commented on it yesterday, and I'd like to add a few words of my own today.

We normally greet the approaching death of a loved one with a mixture of fear and sadness. My Dad alleviated much of that for my family. Here is what I wrote in my journal at the time:

My father inspires me
with the calm acceptance
of the coming end
of his worldly life.

He will be here no more
to laugh
to smile
to balance a drink on his knee.

But he will live on
in our hearts
in our memory
in our love.

And I hope that when my time comes,
I can face it with the same grace,
the same good humor,
and the same acceptance that he has shown.

I can still feel that inspiration now, a year later. It was one of the many gifts provided by Dad. He had lived 81 full and active years. Through his words and actions he told us that he had enjoyed those years, but was ready to take the next step, a step we must all take eventually.

Soothing Morphos, comfort me
I welcome your embrace
My days here, they are numbered
I soon must leave this place

I travel to a higher plane
The Kingdom of our Lord
To live among the angels
The ultimate reward

To my family - do not worry
A better life awaits
As I go to see Saint Peter
On through the pearly gates

Those last words reflect Dad's faith. I'd like to close with something that reflects the humor that he passed on.

I look at the face in the mirror
and see my Dad's features stare back.
Should I be happy to see the resemblance?
Or cover my head with a sack?

Of course, that's not a fair question.
My looks are his gift to me
(but why a part of the body
for all the world to see?)

To be frank, I like the resemblance.
Its a daily reminder of Dad.
Of all the life lessons he taught me,
And all the good times that we had

But I'm Steve and not Frank, so continue...
On this point we all must agree
My Dad was really quite handsome
(...and the apple falls close to the tree...)