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Topic starter
26/12/2023 11:14 pm
THE OLD YEAR LEAVES and a NEW YEAR DAWNS
This being a time of year where we are surrounded with family and friends, it's also a shocking reality that some family and friends are no longer with us. These emotions are reminders of how short our journey in life is. Many don't stay with us to the finish line.
How many times have you lost a loved one, and wished that you could see or talk with them just one more time? How often have you been too busy to get together? How many times have you said, "We need to get together" or the usual response, "Let's stay in touch". Whether it be family or friends, we've all done this. But then, as is always the case, you get busy with home, work, schedules, and time slips by. It happens to all of us. Life gets in the way.
Suddenly one day, you get the sad news that a family member or friend passed away. You're hit with the haunting realization that you didn't have a last chance to get together. You didn't have that last chance to talk. You are angry that you didn't make a get together, beating yourself up thinking you wish you had just one more chance.
There are things you'd like to say to them, things you'd like to share with them, and most of all, you'd like to be with them and hear their voice just one more time.
This time of year I think of my Dad. It's hard to believe that he's been gone over 42 years. He left me back in 1981 when he was just a young 55. Still after all these years, I miss him. I wish I could talk with him just one more time.
My Dad, like me and all of us, had his faults. But he always worked hard to assure that I had a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and food on the table. As every father does, he gave me advice and left me lessons to learn from. Not all the advice was good and sometimes the lessons I learned showed me that he wasn't always right. But his intentions were always with my best interests in mind.
I miss my Dad. He always told me that, he and I would be "pals to the end". I took it for granted that "the end" wouldn't come as early in my life as it did. I was just 30 years old when he died. I've always wished that he could have known his grandchildren, the person I became, and that he could have enjoyed a long healthy life and retirement.
I smile remembering the things my Dad did for me, that I took for granted at the time, and I'm sad I didn't tell him how much I appreciated the sacrifices and struggles he endured doing the best he could for me, with what little he had.
I remember being upset at his memorial service, as many who attended told me how proud he was of me. I'd hear, "So you're George, your Dad always spoke proudly of you". I actually got angry because he never told me that he was proud of me or said that he loved me.
Hindsight is always 20/20 and I know now that I had no right to be angry, because I'd never told my Dad how proud I was of him either, and that I loved him. Both of us took it for granted. I would sure enjoy giving him a hug just one more time.
The lesson in all of this is that we need to make time for those that are important to us. Some day, we'll wish we did. That's one wish none of us want to come true.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
26/12/2023 11:46 pm
This was great, George. The father/son relationship is so meaningful. I'm happy to say that I had a GREAT Dad and I'm pretty sure my son would say the same thing about me!
Barry Levittan
Long Island, NY
27/12/2023 12:16 am
Very nice.
Ed Davis
Inverness, Illinois, USA
Tony Perrone and Steve Jacobs reacted
27/12/2023 12:16 am
Your Coffee Talk hit me hard tonight. My good fried Curt, who I have known for 75 years, passed away a week ago. Met him in first grade. Graduated from high school together, attended the same college, his future wife was my future wife's college roommate. We introduced them. Over all the years the families did many things together, dinners and so much, much more. Last time I saw him was a couple of weeks ago, with this wife, at our house for apple crip and an evening of reminiscing and future plans. Suddenly he's gone. If you haven't talked or seen a friend in awhile, give him or her a call tomorrow and set a time to get together. The funeral is this coming Friday.
27/12/2023 2:48 am
I'm so sorry to hear this Bill. My condolences to your and Curt's Families.
Steve
John Kuvakas and Tony Perrone reacted
27/12/2023 7:23 am
Your Coffee Talk hit me hard tonight. My good fried Curt, who I have known for 75 years, passed away a week ago. Met him in first grade. Graduated from high school together, attended the same college, his future wife was my future wife's college roommate. We introduced them. Over all the years the families did many things together, dinners and so much, much more. Last time I saw him was a couple of weeks ago, with this wife, at our house for apple crip and an evening of reminiscing and future plans. Suddenly he's gone. If you haven't talked or seen a friend in awhile, give him or her a call tomorrow and set a time to get together. The funeral is this coming Friday.
Sincerest condolences Bill!
John Kuvakas reacted
Topic starter
27/12/2023 7:31 am
My condolences to you with the passing of your friend Curt. With 75 years of memories, I've no doubt you'll smile often when you think of the great times you had together.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
John Kuvakas reacted
27/12/2023 9:44 am
Very nice George. I fondly remember the Sunday mornings I spent with my Dad. It was our time together. Cancer took him from us when he was just 53 years old, I was barely 17. He never met my wife nor his grandchildren. My son and grandson carry his name, so his memory never fades or grows cold. I truly miss him.
John Bono
North Jersey
27/12/2023 11:22 am
Thank you George. I too lost my dad when he was 56 years old and I was 33. I was very blessed to have had parents who never were too busy for my brother and me and were involved in our lives every day. Your coffee talk and thoughts were perfect for reflection particularly this time of year.
John Kuvakas and Tony Perrone reacted
Topic starter
27/12/2023 3:58 pm
No Comment!
A confusing response.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
Topic starter
27/12/2023 4:09 pm
Thank you George. I too lost my dad when he was 56 years old and I was 33. I was very blessed to have had parents who never were too busy for my brother and me and were involved in our lives every day. Your coffee talk and thoughts were perfect for reflection particularly this time of year.
Thank you Mr. Jackman. Sounds like you faired a little better than me in the parent department. That's a blessing. My Dad was a good man, but I never really got to know him well, as he avoided conflict by ignoring any uncomfortable situation. Yes he kept a roof over my head, food on the table and clothes on my back, but his working 2 and sometimes 3 jobs didn't have him around.
No mother in my life as she dumped me (and my siblings) on a doorstep when I was 8 years old. That put me/us in different foster homes for the next four years. When Dad finally bought a house, I became the babysitter and basically in charge in his absence. In hindsight it made me stronger and wiser to handle adulthood. LOL, sort of like the "Boy Named Sue".
All this said, again I echo loudly that my Dad was a good man. I know the role he was handed as a single father in the 1960's was not an easy one. I'm forever grateful for him.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
28/12/2023 3:55 am
@bill-juffernbruch so sorry Bill. You've painted a picture of a wonderful friendship so succinctly. May your friend rest in peace.
John Kuvakas reacted