15 years...

April 27th

It amazes me how time can fly, I can remember that day like it was yesterday.

 My mom and I had spent the night in a motel in Albuquerque. It was cold and rainy and we woke up at about 4am in order to catch our flight. As we went to check out of the hotel she drove around front, I walked into the glass door face first, rather then realizing it was closed and actually opening it. I assume now that my mind was elsewhere, did I know what would happen that day? Was my subconscious trying to slow us down?


We pulled out of the parking lot and took a left not realizing we had to cross a median to get to our lanes, we drove a few blocks in the wrong lane.
We got to the airport, hopped our plane, it was a little late and we almost missed our connecting flight. We marveled at our good luck for making it onto the plane... We arrived at our destination and called to check in; everything was going great we were told!

We waited and waited for the Rental Car, a mix up made us over an hour late.

When we arrived we were greeted with hugs and love, we sat down for a glass of iced tea before we headed up to the hospital. I was anxious and wanted to go now.... the phone rang, she answered it and her face turned white...

“He isn't Breathing", “it’s time" "We need to go"

these are the phrases I overheard as I felt my hear breaking.


We rushed out the door it wa very quiet on that 5 minute drive to the VA hospital... We arrived, walked down a stark white and very long, quiet hall. We stopped at the door of a room on the left, we went in, he was laying there, with a blanket on and his glasses off.
I can't recall having ever seen him without his glasses before. I knew he was gone but I wanted to say goodbye, I held his hand and then

for the first time in my life I kissed the body of someone who had passed away

for the last time in my life I kissed my daddy goodbye!