This time a year ago, the mother of my children was approaching death.
Cancer. She drew her last breath at precisely 2:45 PM, Jan. 4th. The day
of the week was Wednesday, the place was my son's home in Corsicana.
I was at work when my daughter called at approx. 11:45. And what she
said to me is indelible. "Dad, if you want to be here, it's time. And Jimmy
and I want you to be here".
I was.
I had talked with her Christmas Eve. I'm practically deaf and her voice was
weak. I asked, "Do you know who I am, Jeanette?" I couldn't hear her reply,
but I could read her lips and she said my name. I told her not to try to speak,
it would be in vain. Then I said to her, "I am so sorry for all the times
that I neglected and mistreated you, and if I could take it all back I would".
Then I said, "I love you". Her lips said I love you too, back to me.
We had been divorced for just a little over 20 years. We came to an impass,
as far too many couples will. Yogi said: "When you come to the fork in the
road, take it." And we did.
Every step taken is forever. We can't take anything back, none of it.
Yesterday does count. It's all the yesterdays that bring us to where we
are today.
I have some liberal leanings. I say that out loud. And it has irked some
here and drawn the ire of many.
But all the yesterdays brought me to where I am today. What was gospel
truth yesterday - through an event or tragedy, either to myself, a family
member or to a good and trusted friend...
Changed. Altered. To maybe I didn't have that quite right or maybe I
was dead wrong all along. Perhaps I should think about that a little more.
And if there is a point at all to this thread - I've forgotten just what it
might have been.
Happy New Year and God Bless...
Bob Lee
Cancer. She drew her last breath at precisely 2:45 PM, Jan. 4th. The day
of the week was Wednesday, the place was my son's home in Corsicana.
I was at work when my daughter called at approx. 11:45. And what she
said to me is indelible. "Dad, if you want to be here, it's time. And Jimmy
and I want you to be here".
I was.
I had talked with her Christmas Eve. I'm practically deaf and her voice was
weak. I asked, "Do you know who I am, Jeanette?" I couldn't hear her reply,
but I could read her lips and she said my name. I told her not to try to speak,
it would be in vain. Then I said to her, "I am so sorry for all the times
that I neglected and mistreated you, and if I could take it all back I would".
Then I said, "I love you". Her lips said I love you too, back to me.
We had been divorced for just a little over 20 years. We came to an impass,
as far too many couples will. Yogi said: "When you come to the fork in the
road, take it." And we did.
Every step taken is forever. We can't take anything back, none of it.
Yesterday does count. It's all the yesterdays that bring us to where we
are today.
I have some liberal leanings. I say that out loud. And it has irked some
here and drawn the ire of many.
But all the yesterdays brought me to where I am today. What was gospel
truth yesterday - through an event or tragedy, either to myself, a family
member or to a good and trusted friend...
Changed. Altered. To maybe I didn't have that quite right or maybe I
was dead wrong all along. Perhaps I should think about that a little more.
And if there is a point at all to this thread - I've forgotten just what it
might have been.
Happy New Year and God Bless...
Bob Lee
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