On Monday, October 24, 2011, my dad died. As all four of his children and his wife of 54 years sat around the bed, we cried but most importantly, we laughed and remembered the wonderful times we had as a family of six. Stories were told of how dad got us lost in the woods of Connecticut and wound up in New York State, about camping on Grandma and Grandpa Goldsmith's farm in Delhi, New York and how dad told stories about "greeblies" and calling the cows in the pasture next to our campsite with his rendition of mooing and how he was always there for us. He was a man of routine. We remembered how every morning before he went to teach at Wilton High he would shower, fix fried eggs, pack a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch, put on a hat and overcoat and head off to teach. He loved my mom so very much. She was the light in his eyes and he was the light in her eyes. They would sing in the church choirs, walk the dogs, swim in their pool, read for endless hours, watch MASH reruns and listen to Satellite radio. They knew how to demonstrate their love for one another so there were NO regrets on Monday, October 24 when we all kissed dad goodbye and witnessed him take his last breath.
I share all of this with you so you can have NO REGRETS at the end of your life, the life of your parents, spouse, children or friends. It is important to love one another unconditionally, accept people for who they are, enjoy your family and always let your family know that you love them with the words-"I LOVE YOU!" Don't ever assume they know that. Live your life with no regrets of missing your child's school play, baseball game, dance recital. Have no regrets about telling your child, "Not now, maybe later" or "I don't have time." You will never get those moments back to hear your 5 year old tell the same knock knock joke over and over, throw the football, push the swing, make cookies together, read a book, watch your child's favorite cartoon or movie 100 times or cheer him on at a track meet. Time is fleeting-cherish every moment so in the end you have NO REGRETS!
1 comment:
Great post, and how very true! I've heard it said before that at the end of our days, we won't regret things we've done, only things we never got around to doing.
Your Dad did a great job in that respect. He managed to wring every bit he could out of his life and I'm so happy he shared his joy so freely with all of us. He leaves a great legacy, having departed this life with no regrets.
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