"It's Okay"

 

I was awakened by the ringing of my cell phone.

I tried to kid myself that maybe my wife, Heather, just has an important question, or an update...or great news!...

I hesitantly answered.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Baby?" I could hear Heather trying to speak through her tears.

"...I'm sorry..." She then began to openly sob into the phone.

Dad was not going to recover in this life. I knew it now. I had to finally accept it. After five torturous days of being on a ventilator, God had ended his suffering with Covid and taken him to his Eternal home.

"You need to say good-bye to your Dad," she explained.

She placed the phone as close to Dad's ear as possible.

"...Daddy?" I started to cry uncontrollably. "Daddy, it's me. It's Brian."

Silence.

"Daddy, it's okay! It's okay. You don't have to fight anymore. You can go be with Jesus."

...There is a scene in the movie, Warrior, where the brothers are having their mixed-martial-arts fight and the older brother has the younger in a rear-naked-choke. If you have never seen this movie, it is a tear-jerker for men, especially the ending scene. The older brother apologizes for all the times he wronged his little brother. He pleads with him to tap and says repeatedly, "It's okay! It's OKAY! I love you!" The younger brother submits.

Even though this heartbreaking moment is not exactly 100% similar to the movie, I wanted Dad to be assured that we would see him again. There was no reason to keep fighting to stay here on Earth. "It's okay, Daddy." And that night, Daddy left. He joined those in the presence of Jesus until His return.

And that is okay with me. It is okay. It will be okay.

~

Thank you, family, and friends. Until next time, readers: this is “The Truman Blog”. I love you, Dad. Always and forever.

 

Your loving son,

~ Brian


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Just A Simple Piece of Duct Tape

Image
This story of Dad is not exactly “my” story. It is not even an “inside joke” that I am in on nor do I feel I am completely clear on. What I DO know is that this story consists of a catch phrase, written with love on a small piece of duct tape. …Mom had just gotten off the phone with one of Dad’s best friends in the workplace. The request was…odd to say the least. Yet, it was sincere, priceless, beautiful in a unique way, and from the heart. His friend had requested that we place a piece of duct tape in Dad’s shirt pocket as we laid him to rest, and on this piece of duct tape he requested the following phrase: “MS: Taking the High Road.” He had sent his sincerest apologies for not be able to make it to the viewing or funeral due to travel and all the restrictions weighing down on the world because of Covid-19. We had assured him that we would gladly accommodate him. There was only one small problem. There was no duct tape to be found anywhere in the house. Now, I had the choice ...
Read more

Songs in Daddy's Honor

Image
Tonight, I  simply want to share with readers the song s electi ons for Dad’s photo presentation during the  visitation. After choosing at least 50 photos from Dad’s life, the funeral home compiled a beautiful video tribute to him that my family will always cherish. The first selection was Sammy Fain’s famous song “I’ll Be Seeing You”, sang by the world-renowned Frank Sinatra. As the photos were displaying on the screen, these stunning yet disheartening lyrics filled the air… “ I'll be seeing you in all the old, familiar places that this heart of mine embraces…all day through. In that small café, the park across the way…” These words are very befitting as some of my most precious memories with Dad were walking along the jogging path that circles the small park facing Mom and Dad’s back porch. Our conversations on those walks hold a sacred place in my heart. Bette Midler’s “Wind Beneath My Wings” was the second selection. Most know the infamous lyric, “Did you ever know that yo...
Read more

The Visitation and Viewing

Image
The next several days in Canyon, Texas were a blur. Who knew what day was what? Who really cared? All we knew was the visitation for Dad would be on Sunday evening, and that the funeral would be Monday afternoon. To be honest, I know we visited Dad at the funeral home many times. The staff there had done a tremendous job. Dad looked so peaceful, lying there in his Texas A&M ball cap, his reading glasses, and his red button-up shirt. He looked like he was simply taking a well-deserved nap… ~ Sunday evening arrived. Family and friends came from all over the state, far and near to hug my Mother, Heather, and I, pay their respects, share a few tears, and give their love. It was painful and beautiful at the same time. Dad touched so many lives. I am forever grateful to all who either came or who understandably sent their love and remained socially distant because of COVID. Their presence was with us in spirit during our time of sorrow, for sure. Monday afternoon, we paid Dad’s...
Read more