The last time I spoke with my dad before he slipped into delirium, was in the middle of a shoe store. He told my mom he wanted to call me, almost as an afterthought, right before they took him into surgery. I saw his number and picked up right away, crouched in the back of the store, and let my kids run amok.
What surprised me though was my Dad asked for Alice right away. I handed the phone to her, and watched her nod and agree. Then she gave me back the phone, landed a big kiss on my cheek, and ran off to jump in the mountain of shoes she and Scarlet had built.
I asked my Dad what he talked to Alice about, and he answered, “Grandpa Kisses. I had her promise me that every morning, first thing, she give you a kiss from me. That way you’ll remember, every single day, how much I love you”. Not being dead inside, I broke down sobbing right there in men’s size 10.
He then recounted how fortunate I was to have such wonderful children and an amazing husband; an eternal family. I answered I was “so lucky”, to which he replied, “Luck has nothing to do with it. You made the right choices, and you are blessed”. He told me he loved me again, and that he was off to surgery. He promised to call after.
That call never came, but I didn’t need it. Our last conversation pretty much summed it all up.
I miss you, Dad.
I still get your kisses every morning.
I still get your kisses every morning.
8 comments:
So beautiful and touching, Stef!
I think of your Dad's funeral and the stories re-told that day often. His legacy and family are so inspiring to me and how I view raising my own family now. I will never be the same. Thank you for sharing!!
Love you and thinking of you often!
So glad you shared this beautiful, personal experience. I have no doubt our Heavenly Father orchestrated that phone call so that you could have it with you the rest of your life. The special relationship you have with your dad is so touching.
Stef, I am so glad you got to have that wonderful moment with your dad, even though it was over the phone. The more I learn about your dad, from the funeral and the posts you do about him, that more I can't wait to meet him one day. He sounds incredible.
PS ~ I am totally crying right now a lot, like A LOT a lot. But it's OK because that was such a sweet story--I don't think I'll ever forget it. Thank you for sharing. :-)
You just brought a tear to my eyes. Beautiful story sounds just like uncle Joe.
Thank you for making me bawl like a baby. Seriously though, thank you for sharing this. I'm glad you get your kisses every morning from sweet little Alice. I miss you!!
Stef-how great was that!! Thank you for sharing you brought me to tears. Your dad sounds like he was a great man!!
Ah, this brings up the fresh pain of losing my Nana. She was like my mom. I got a similar call from her as she was on Morphine only it was in Wal-Mart and I was standing among baby clothes. She asked if I wanted to sing anything at her memorial. I told her I'd have to have my sisters sing with me. And so in Wal-Mart I sang to her the 3rd verse of "For the Beauty of the Earth." (Hymnal p.92) This was my last phone call too. Aren't our children beautiful reminders of our potential and eternity?
I know you don't know me, but I am a friend of Denise, and while trying to hunt for her blog (though I'm not sure if she has one... if she doesn't, she should haha), I came across yours (boy do you two look alike, or what? gorgeous ladies!) Anyway.... my point... this made me cry... a lot! Thank you for sharing this! I'm so glad I came across it! :)
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