Sunday, March 01, 2009

My Father Died Today

I know he was happy with his life, his wife, his family. I know he lived a good and productive life. I know he loved and was loved. I know he was 91 and his health had been declining for years. He wasn't ready to go and I wasn't ready to have him leave us all.

It comforts me that he, as Dylan Thomas' famous poem demanded, did not go gentle into that I good night. My father fought death long and hard. It took at the age of 91 nearly 2 weeks in intensive care and three abdominal surgeries before he gave up. He fought hard and long and that knowledge gives me comfort.

I love you Everett Clyde Ham. I will always remember that you were the first person to walk (and ride your tricycle) on the moon.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Your pop sounds like a wonderful person... actually I seem to know someone who sounds a lot like him... YOU!

I'm so glad you had some time with him at the end. And to know he continues to live on through you.

GL and River