My Dad

It was June of 2002 and I had just moved to SC from NY state. While at work at my new job, I received a call from NY that my Dad was dying and to get home as fast as possible. I was in shock because I had just talked to my Dad the night before. My co-workers (of only about a week) responded quickly by taking up a collection large enough to fly me back home. The Lord knew how broke I was from my move down South. I did not have any money to fly home. I was even driven to the airport and given coupons for free car rentals for a week. This was all done by people who didn’t even know me.

My co-workers were all praying that I could make it back home to see my Dad before he died because they knew how important it was to me and to my Dad to get a chance to hold each other one more time and to say our goodbyes.

I kept calling the hospital to check on Dad and was told he would not make it that I was too far away. I had them put the phone to Dad’s ear to tell him I was coming and to hang on. I was told that Dad’s face lit up and he put his hands in a prayer position. He hadn’t been moving or communicating at all.

When I arrived at Philadelphia my flight was delayed. I burst into tears with every passing moment. I kept calling and the hospital said they didn’t think he would be alive when I got there.

Finally at midnight I arrived at the hospital. I looked at the hospital doors and braced myself for the inevitable. I walked into Dad’s room in tears, crying, Daddy, I am here. Daddy, I am here. Much to the amazement of the nursing staff, Dad sat up after not moving at all, and hugged me and told me he wanted to say goodbye. Dad died shortly afterward. The hospital staff said it was a miracle, like something you would see in a movie that things like that don’t happen. I was so grateful that my Dad and I got to say goodbye.

I was totally heart broken. I loved my Dad, and he was gone so suddenly.

At my Dad’s wake, I was alone and laid my head on his chest and just cried and cried. In my sadness and grief, I felt a wonderful presence and a peace fill me entirely. I did not expect this. I knew that everything was going to be okay. God knew how heartbroken I was and touched me in a real way that I felt I was totally enveloped in the love and presence of God.

I miss my Dad very much, but I know he is in a wonderful place with God. And God, who knew I still needed to go on, filled me with a peace that passes all understanding even through my tears.

Suzy