A Tribute to My Dad

[Mr. Bloom]

Karen, what a story! Wow!

Last Sunday, Silver and I were visiting him at the nursing home and he just started rolling his chair out the door. "Dad, where are you going?" "Home", he says. "Dad, it's too cold outside." "I'm ready to leave", he says.

At the time, I halfway felt that "home" was somewhere else and that he knew it was time. I'm now sure of it.

It's funny: At his bedside, I tried to talk about memories to him. In the days since he died, we naturally remember so many more things. Though, at his bedside in the shock of the situation, I struggled to find things in my memory...

One vivid memory that I reminded him of at his bedside was one I have from about 10 years ago when we were out walking with my parents while the kids rode their bikes...and

my dad said "I want to ride a bike".

I paused and said something like "Dad, you're 70 years old...the pavement's hard...are you sure you want to do that?"

He said, "I WANT to ride your bike"

"OK, here it is"

It wasn't graceful, it was almost scary, but by golly, he rode that bike!

We weren't into cycling then...but for all these years, I've remembered that...

Funeral in 8 hrs and 21 minutes...

[Starfish]

Funeral in 8 hrs and 21 minutes...

Hi Mr. I'll be thinking about you, Silver and your family in 8 hours, and in the waiting between now and then.

[Flybye]

Like Starfish said, I'll be thinking about you today, too.

Celebrate your fathers life today!

I am such a daddy's girl, it brings tears to my eyes to think that the day we send him home isn't that far away.

I love your memory of your father on your bike. I had a great visual in mind while reading your account!

My brother in law who suffers with Schizophrenia and has a VERY flat affect hopped on my bike (I had only had it about a month at the time - full carbon) one day and went for a ride. It was all I could do not to run after him and yell nooooooooooooooo, my BIKE! It wasn't a graceful ride, either, but surely one I will remember!

[spokewench]

So Sorry Mr. Silver. I am thinking about you and your family. It is just so hard

[Hub]

I am sorry for your loss, yet impressed by your personal grace and dignity. It's hard to remember to put out loved one's needs first when we're afraid of being lonesome. You did an admirable job of providing comfort to your father.

[solobiker]

So sorry for your loss. As you know I work in a nursing home and have seen many sad situations where someone passes completly alone. Their family has never visited them or if they do it is only for short periods of time. I am happy for both you, your family and your father that you remained in his life and were able to continue on with memories and a family bond. I am sorry if that sounds inappropriate, sometimes I can't write what I mean. I am truely sorry for your loss.

[ShubieGA]

I hope your memories and love bolster you when sadness hits. It's never easy to say goodbye, but I know your Dad was lucky to have his family with him to "see him home". I am sure there are many things to celebrate about his life, including his loving family. When my uncle recently passed, we chose to celebrate the best he brought to life, and were amazed how many he touched in so many ways. Positive thoughts being sent to Indiana...