Disclaimer: This story is part of the #TornadoGiveaway posts by The Book Club and has been published as-is, in its unedited form on Tell-A-Tale.
A survivor with a never say no attitude and so much happiness to spread around! Carol shares a heart wrenching tale of letting go of a loved one.
Biting my tongue, I tried not to cry. The man on the other end of the telephone was breathing heavily and sporadically. When the seconds between each breath lasted too long, terror ran through my veins.
I needed more time. I needed him to breathe normally. I needed HIM. But the time had come. It was his time to go.
I could tell by his breathing pattern how my words were affecting him. When the breaths came rapidly, I knew he was becoming emotional. When they were slower, it meant he was calmer.
I told him how much I loved him; how much I appreciated my heritage and the morals and values he instilled in me. I thanked him for putting up with my incessant babbling when I got excited. I reminded him how he would offer me 25 cents to be quiet for five minutes when I was a little girl. I felt him smile inside.
I thanked him for the blessings he graciously bestowed on me for the decisions I made in my life. I knew this was often difficult for him to do, but he did it – in love.
I promised him I would raise my children as I was raised, with high morals, good work ethics, and a love for our Heavenly Father.
I asked forgiveness for all the times I messed up in my life and for any harsh words I might have uttered when I was angry.
I thanked him for the life lessons he instilled in me. As a girl, I did not understand how much of an impact these lessons would have on my life, but now realized they helped form who I have become.
He taught me to never put off until tomorrow what I should do today “Do it right! Do it now!” He taught me to always be the first to forgive – in any situation, no matter who was at fault.
He taught me to feed my faith, instead of my fear, because what I fed would grow and what I starved would die.
I didn’t want to say good-bye. I knew it would be the last time I would say those words to him. But it was time. He could not utter any words but his breathing told me how my words were affecting him.
“Good-bye Daddy. I love you. Please tell Mommy how much I love and miss her too. I will see you again someday.”
Silence. It was over. He was gone.
About The
Author
Carol Graham
Sharing laughter, inspiration and encouraging stories to anyone who has been put through the wringer of life. If I overcame tragedies…so can you. I am a motivational speaker sharing my incredible story of surviving cancer, rape, marital abuse, loss of child, suicide attempt, huge financial losses and more. I firmly believe laughter will get you through almost anything. I published Battered Hope
If you want to win her book
BATTERED
HOPE
try the #TornadoGiveaway organised by The Book Club or check out the Rafflecoper
below.
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I read this post pretending I didn’t know the person and started to cry. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to tell the story of my daddy’s passing. It was over 30 years ago and this brought the memory back as though it was today.
The pleasure was ours Carol. It is indeed a lovely and touching post.
What a heart wrenching post, this is the reality of life but we are so afraid of facing it.
This ripped at my heart and reminded me so much of the last conversation I had with my Dad before he died and went to be with my mother. It brought tears to my eyes.
This was beautifully. I raced to have those last words with my father but I was to late. it’s always been my greatest regret.