After parking the truck in the densely packed parking lot, I walked down the long sidewalk, anxiously wanting to see you. I turned the corner and headed toward the hospital entrance. There I saw a water fountain and behind it a bench. A woman sat there alone. She was patiently watching passerby's through her big glasses, her face taking in the warmth of the Spring sunshine. Tears welled in my eyes; I instantly knew it was mom. There she sat in calmness and elegance, with both feet on the ground and hands in her lap. I knew she had been waiting for you, trying not to worry. She spent many hours on this bench. When she wasn't allowed to be with you, she would walk the long hospital hallway and make her way out here, where it was warm and peaceful...and wait.
Dear Dad,
There are so many things I hope that I get the chance to tell you before you go. I love you, Dad.
Growing up, I remember you waking me up every morning, singing to me. You would brush my forehead and bangs with your big loving hands. It would usually make my hair crazy and really static, but without a doubt I felt loved by you and felt like I was the only one in the world that mattered to you at that moment.
I remember in the winter time when it was cold, you would build fires in the fireplace down stairs and make it so toasty warm. I loved it so much. You would warm up rocks on top of the stove and would warm my feet up by wrapping the rock up in a towel and putting it in under the blankets on my bed by my feet.
I remember many times when I was sick with a croupy cough, but one time in particular. I was pretty young and it was winter. The protocol for this frequent occasion was that first, mom would take me in the steam filled bathroom to loosen the cough, then you would take me outside into the cool night air. That is what happened. I remember you wrapping me up in the warmest blanket possible and taking me out onto the balcony. As I looked out into the backyard that I knew so well, everything was dark, yet wintry white and peaceful. I didn't feel afraid because I knew that you had me. You talked to me and told me to breathe. You showed me the stars and probably told me a stories about our "Pinky and Blacky", my favorite. My breathing got easier after a bit. I was safe with you and I loved you.
