Thankfulness

It was difficult for me to post to my blog after such an emotional time. My Dad passed away two months ago, on July 6th. I sketched this while chatting with him during a visit at Rehab. He was 94 years old, and leaves behind my Mom, who is 84. A World War II vet who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, Dad received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. But that's not all, of course.

You know, from a distance, one can be philosophical and say, "How fortunate; he lived such a long life." And although that's true (and I've thought that of others in the past), I've come to realize it doesn't begin to touch on the personal, complex feelings, that include loss and also, for me, the positive way he touched so many lives in our family. He was a gentle man and a gentleman, of that notable generation, with strong values and a nice sense of humor. He led by example and was loving and good-humored until the end. All of my siblings felt he became the essence of Dad in the final days. We are grateful to have had him as long as we did!