I was thinking this weekend, I wish Dad had written me a letter. Something with some final instructions, good advice, etc.
But since he didn't, I'll write it for him. This is the letter I wish he'd written me.
Dear Allie,
I know that you will miss me when I am gone. We had a good run, and I'm glad for all the time we did have together. I know that this will be hard on you. Don't grieve too much. I'm not in any pain, and as I told you when my mother died, "Life is for the living."
Know that I loved you very much, and I had a lot of fun with you. You were a good daughter, and I appreciate everything you did for me; especially at the end. I may not have been able to tell you how much you meant to me, but I know you knew.
I know that you'll take good care of your mother, but I hope that you will learn to take care of yourself.
Try hard to get healthy and stay healthy. Make that the priority in your life.
I think you should try and get another dog as soon as possible. I wish I could find you one like I did with Lola, but you're up to the task. You need a dog. Take some time off work if you have to and get a dog.
I know that you'll be looking for signs that I'm watching over you - and I don't know that there will be any. But take comfort in the things we shared and loved together; birds, travel, cooking. I may not be with you in spirit, but let happy memories comfort you.
Your meatloaf was the last real meal that I ate, and it was excellent - you were a good student. I hope that most of what you learned from me was good and useful. I wish I had taught you more about the mountains, but I think you have the foundation to learn anything that you want. Let Matt handle the repairs, though - he's just better with that. It's OK - you try; and that's worth plenty.
Remember that I love you and I believe in you. Be happy; I want that for you more than anything.
Love,
Dad
PS - Yes, you're right. And you know what I'm talking about.
But since he didn't, I'll write it for him. This is the letter I wish he'd written me.
Dear Allie,
I know that you will miss me when I am gone. We had a good run, and I'm glad for all the time we did have together. I know that this will be hard on you. Don't grieve too much. I'm not in any pain, and as I told you when my mother died, "Life is for the living."
Know that I loved you very much, and I had a lot of fun with you. You were a good daughter, and I appreciate everything you did for me; especially at the end. I may not have been able to tell you how much you meant to me, but I know you knew.
I know that you'll take good care of your mother, but I hope that you will learn to take care of yourself.
Try hard to get healthy and stay healthy. Make that the priority in your life.
I think you should try and get another dog as soon as possible. I wish I could find you one like I did with Lola, but you're up to the task. You need a dog. Take some time off work if you have to and get a dog.
I know that you'll be looking for signs that I'm watching over you - and I don't know that there will be any. But take comfort in the things we shared and loved together; birds, travel, cooking. I may not be with you in spirit, but let happy memories comfort you.
Your meatloaf was the last real meal that I ate, and it was excellent - you were a good student. I hope that most of what you learned from me was good and useful. I wish I had taught you more about the mountains, but I think you have the foundation to learn anything that you want. Let Matt handle the repairs, though - he's just better with that. It's OK - you try; and that's worth plenty.
Remember that I love you and I believe in you. Be happy; I want that for you more than anything.
Love,
Dad
PS - Yes, you're right. And you know what I'm talking about.
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