With Fathers' Day quickly approaching it is becoming ever more apparent that I am lacking in the Father department. Not because I had a deadbeat dad or anything; my dad passed away 2 years ago. He passed when I was 16, almost 17.
This man was the most incredible man I ever had the pleasure and opportunity of meeting. He was kind, intelligent, and so much more. His best quality was probably his humor. He had the ability to make anyone he met laugh until they cried. He had such a cheesy sense of humor, and I am thankful I inherited.
His favorite joke was "A three legged dog walked into a bar and says 'I'm looking for the man who shot my paw(pa)'" It is a lame joke and probably would make more sense to speak it, but I laugh simply because it was his joke.
I miss him like crazy every single day.
On March 25, 2011 my father was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. It was devastating.
He had been in the hospital for about a week before they actually knew what was wrong with him. On that morning I walked upstairs to his room, which had acquired a new sign on the door. It was a warning sign with a huge word on it, so I immediately looked it up. No one else knew why I mysteriously started crying. The doctor came in a few hours later to reveal the news. I think my dad knew though. I think he knew that week while in the hospital that it was cancer, I think we all knew, we just didn't say anything, as if in fear of jinxing the situation.
Like any new thing to effect a family, we learned how to deal and how to respond as a Family.
It was hard, watching him slowly dying and yet having hope that he would pull through.
That's the hardest part. Not the death or the dying.
The Hope.
He fought for 10 months, countless bouts with chemo and radiation. Numerous doctors visits, lab test, you name it. By the time he passed, we were familiar with the oncology staff. They even let me in the nurses room and take ice cream as I pleased.
We knew that when Hospice started coming that the day was going to come soon.
Hospice is a great service, but its terrifying when they become a part of your family.
My dad was a fighter. No matter what he stayed strong for everyone.
While he was sick, he put all asie when my best friend died just to be there for me.
I love that man and admire him so much.
I miss him dearly, but I believe he is in Heaven and not hurting anymore.
"Chillin' with Jesus"
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