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Category: Holidays / Topics: Dying and Death • Family • Tribute, Testimony • Veterans
The First Anniversary of a Veteran's Passing
Posted: November 8, 2009
Second thoughts on my father's death…
A year ago this very week
I heard my dying father speak
three little words I long to hear.
He whispered, "I love you."
I think about that final year
as that last day was drawing near
and how my dad reminded me
how rich his life had been.
A faithful wife, two loving sons
a rental business that he'd run,
extended family who believed
he was a royal prince.
This veteran of the Second War
recounted South Pacific horror
as conflicts paved the way for peace
and his long trip back home.
My mind rehearses what I saw
as Dad would shuffle down the hall
to find his favorite easy chair
and spend some time with God.
That proud Marine resisted aid.
His do-it-by-himself parade
would prove to me (and to himself)
that he still had some fight.
But at the end he was so weak,
he found it hard to even speak.
Yet softly he bequeathed me hope
and faith to carry on.
Search all articles by Greg Asimakoupoulos
Greg Asimakoupoulos (pronounced AWESOME-uh-COPE-uh-less) is an ordained minister, published author and chaplain to a retirement community in the Pacfic Northwest. Greg maintains a blog called Rhymes and Reasons, which he graciously provides to SeniorLifestyle.Greg's writings have now been assembled in book form. See the SeniorLifestyle Store. • E-mail the author (moc.loa@veRemosewA*) • Author's website (personal or primary**)
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Posted: November 8, 2009 Accessed 167 times
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