Tuesday, July 18, 2017

My Father's Chair


This is my Daddy.
He was a big man.
6'4"
I always thought he was the biggest man
in the world as a child.
And he was.
To me.


My Daddy and my Mother in the 1960's.
In those days Daddy loved his cigars.
***
Born in a small town in Texas in the late 1920's
he was a sharecroppers son.
He grew up on that small farm picking cotton.
He loved that land.
He learned all of his life lessons on that farm
At a very young age, he lost his Daddy to a drunk driver.
I can certainly feel his pain.
Especially now.
He joined the US Navy in 1946,
and as the Navy does he moved away from Texas
eventually to Jacksonville, Florida where he met
and married my Mother in 1948.
They celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary
June 11th of this year.
He worked for 38 for the US Postal Service and
retired in 1984 I believe if memory serves me right.
He enjoyed many of those years after retirement, until in 2001
he had back surgery. That surgery left him disabled 
and slowly destroyed his mobility.
Even through his illnesses and those disabilities
you would never hear him complain.
Both my Mother and I saw many changes recently
which was of grave concern to us.
We were trying just so hard to keep him safely at
home where he wanted to be,
and where we wanted him.
On Tuesday, July 11 sometime during the night
he quietly slipped from this world
to the next one waiting on him
where I know he was joyfully embraced
by his Mother and Father and all his family members
who have gone on ahead.
For much I am grateful.
Grateful he didn't suffer the indignities of
hospitals and hospice and 
more medical interventions.
He naturally left his earth on his own terms
in his chair peacefully through the night.
It is unimportant what exactly caused his death,
it is enough to know he is just gone.


Holding his hand for the final time.


My Father's Chair.

***
My Daddy is gone.
I'm 60 years old and I feel like I'm 6.
I'm lost looking for my Daddy.
I miss him more than I could ever tell you.
It's only been 7 days,
and it could be 7 seconds or 7 years, 
I couldn't tell you which.
I can tell you this.
For the rest of my days I will miss the
greatest man I've ever known.
There is no mortal man who could ever be greater.
Not to me.
Not ever.
Not even close.
He was as I have repeated over and over again
a good man.
I was so fortunate to have had him for so long.
I wish I had him still although I know
how deeply he suffered.
It is that little girl who longs for her Daddy who
will always miss him.
I just want you back Daddy.
I love you so much.
I always will.
Always.
Please be right there waiting for me.

James R Edwards
December 29, 1928
July 11, 2017

27 comments:

  1. I am so sorry. This is a wonderful tribute to your father. Sending you lots of purrs, prayers and hugs.

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  2. I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending hugs and purrs.

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  3. What a beautiful tribute to your daddy. I'm very sorry for your loss. What rings through to me is how blessed you are to have such an amazing and great daddy. I realize how painful this is but I really hope you will have some comfort in knowing you had an amazing dad with many wonderful memories. I know you miss him terribly and I'm so sorry.

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  4. A beautiful tribute to your beloved Daddy and I'm sure, along with his parents and other family members, your precious Abby was waiting to greet him for YOU!...I am so very sorry for this huge loss in your life and will keep you and your Mom in my prayers...Wishing you both comfort at this time of deep sorrow...Sending big hugs and loud purrs...J, Calle, Halle, Sukki, Mommy Cat

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  5. Oh Debra, I'm in tears for you. I'm so, so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. ♥

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  6. I'm so sorry. Purrs to you and your family. <3

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  7. Many hugs and all our live too you, Loving Dads are such a precious gift.

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  8. Debra, I am in tears for your terrible loss.

    This was the dearest tribute to him that I have seen for awhile and the bond between you will never be broken. He will be there waiting for you just as he was greeted by his parents as well.

    All my love dear Debra. And prayers. Please accept my condolences.

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  9. Debra;

    I send my sincerest condolences to you and your family. I am truly sorry. This is a wonderful tribute post to your dad; one that is filled with love; one the reader realizes, when reading it.

    I ask God to grant you and your mom and family peace in your hearts, in the knowing your dad now resides in HIS house, heaven, and ultimately it's the best house to be in ~~~~~~

    hugs and love ♥♥♥ laura

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  10. I can't send you enough love. Sending sympathy and healing for your journey.

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  11. What a beautiful tribute to such a special man. Both my parents are in their 80s now and I try to cherish every moment. Your dad sounds similar to my own, who grew up on a dairy farm that meant the world to him and also has his own special chair. My mom has horrible scoliosis but never had surgical intervention because she feared exactly what happened to your dad, although she's completely disabled now anyways. I pray that when their time comes it's at home as well because I'll do everything in my power to make sure they're able to stay there always.

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  12. That was a wonderful tribute to your Dad. It does sound like he was an amazing person. I am sorry he is no longer here, but I am sure he will be watching over you always until you are reunited in Heaven. XO

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  13. What beautifully written words. Hugs. Mom lost her dad when she was 17, way too young to lose a father. While she missed the world with him in it, the thing she regretted the most not being able to do is bring home a boy to dad for his approval.

    We're sending good vibes.

    Emma and Buster

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  14. Sending you love and hugs and purrs.
    So good that you have so many happy memories.
    Lovely tribute to him too.
    Nancy and the kitties

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  15. (((hugs))) this tribute was incredible, so beautiful. You already know how I feel since I communicated with you. Just offering more support/love. You are blessed that your Dad passed peacefully and as you said, on his own terms, at home....where he was obviously loved so very, very much xoxoxo

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  16. (((Hugs)))

    Sorry we are so late with this but thank you for your comforting words on the loss of our sweet Ellie. We are heartbroken.

    The Florida Furkids

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  17. Debra, my heart breaks for you. What a beautiful tribute to your incredible dad. Please know we send much love and prayers of comfort your way.

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  18. I'm very sorry that your father has gone. However long a person stays, however much they do while here, it is never enough. That is the hallmark of love. We want our loved ones to stay with us forever. One day, after we have joined them again, they will.

    Godspeed, James Edwards.

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  19. We're sorry to hear this sad news and send comforting vibes and purrayers for you. Take good care.

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  20. You were so blessed to have your father - a man you loved and respected - with you for so many years. I know you miss him and always will. Love and prayers for you and your mother, Debra!

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  21. What a beautiful tribute to your beloved dad ! Hugs and purrs

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  22. My sincere condolences on the loss of your father. It's been nearly 20 years since I lost my dad and I miss him greatly still. It's enough to know though that while we may miss them here on earth we will join them someday in Heaven above. Thank God also for every single precious memory you have of your dad. May you find peace & comfort in them.

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  23. Your beloved Dad was an amazing man, and the kind of which people say: 'One In Million'.
    Your love for him and his for you is the bond which now hurts so very much.
    I am so sorry for this excruciating pain and loss you have experienced.
    Sending my arms through cyberspace to give you a huge, tight hug.
    May God surround you in His loving arms and give you peace and comfort.

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  24. This is such a beautiful tribute to your Daddy. The love pours out of every word. I send you my heartfelt condolences and a big virtual hug.

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  25. Beautiful tribute to your dad.
    Scout and I send purrs and (((hugs))).
    -Lynne

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