twelve years ago today, my dad lost a five year battle with colon cancer. i remember every minute of those last few days like it was yesterday. it’s hard to believe that more than a decade has passed since i last heard his voice.
though he was very sick, nobody expected it to be his very last trip to the hospital. he was such a trooper we thought he’d bounce right back like he always did. on that last hospital stay, i remember him sitting up and shaking his head in disbelief watching the tragedy of 9/11 unfold on the news. he was certain that the terrorist was saddam hussein and cursed him for his monstrosity. he didn’t survive long enough to find out the truth. he left us just two days later.
i know life goes on but twelve years ago it was hard to accept the fact that time didn’t freeze after death. instead, it kept moving forward. time was passing and everyone went about their normal daily activities. the days after my dad left, i would stare at his worn out shoes at the front door where he last took them off. he was no longer there, but the places those shoes have taken him hung in the air before me.
remembering my dad today…and everyday.