In Dad’s final days, he tells us stories. In this moment, he admits that he doesn’t have enough left. He realizes the end is very close. We assure him that we are not disappointed in him, that we are proud of him, and that we love him. While these are painful moments to relive, they help tremendously in the process of grief. I’m so grateful to have our voices of togetherness recorded so that they will always remain close and just a click away when I need them most.
Not Enough Left Nonet
no one was disappointed in Dad
when he didn’t have enough left
he’d been fighting a long time
and had lost too much strength
to go on living
we assured him
we loved him
and were
proud
Common Threads 
Kim, I hope you have found some of the peace in sharing your dad’s words and thoughts that others (me) have found in hearing his words along with your own. It has been 15 years, this month, since my own dad passed after his own very long fight and I realize, in hearing your dad’s voice and in reading your perspectives how I have buried so many memories and thoughts as I struggled, for years, to keep up with the many demands of working and supporting others through forms of caregiving. It has been an emotional experience, but a good cathartic one and I really do have to thank you – and also your dad for sharing these moments and memories. I know your dad was one of the good ones.
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Anita, thank you so much for sharing this with me! In many ways, I buried grieving for my mother and didn’t feel like I finished enough of the process when she died in 2015. I feel like I’m getting more grieving done this month than just my dad, so I understand the need to resurrect the pain and regret and find ways to make peace with it through the memories. I think we may be in similar places in more than a few ways with writing as a healing journey. I’m glad we are on it together and can share! Thank you for reaching out, Anita! I appreciate your heartfelt words.
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