Day 2192 Who knew?

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First things first, flowers. In honor of my dad, I bought myself a beautiful mixed bouquet, because if he were still alive today, he’d want me to have them. They made me smile all day, thinking of him and the unconditional love I was so lucky to have for so long.

To this day, he remains the only person who ever called me “sweetheart.” It’s something that makes me happy to think about, yet somehow still hurts my insides.

I’m not one to visit a gravesite, and I don’t usually remember the date of someone’s passing, but his date never escapes me. Several of my good friends have birthdays on that same day each year, gently reminding me of its significance. I think we often remember people more on their birthdays. I’m not one to do the math to figure out how old they would be, their death suspends them in their final year. 

Remembering how suddenly he passed  makes me appreciate my own life so much more, how lucky I am each and every day, even with whatever struggles come my way. I am blessed beyond words for this beautiful life.

I’m so grateful I had my kids young, so they all had a chance to know my dad. I think about that often now with my own grandchildren. My dad was even able to meet a couple of his great-grandchildren, a goal I now aim for myself. He had no complaints about life. He loved every minute of it, was grateful for each day, and was always eager for an adventure. 

My beautiful flowers are filled with love, from him, for me, and they are a gentle reminder that love never really leaves us. It lives on in our memories, in our traditions, and in the way we choose to carry it forward. And today, I carry his love with gratitude, my own sense of adventure and self-confidence that comes from having experienced unconditional love. Who knew a simple Walmart bouquet could be so significant?! 

"I don't know what's wrong with these assholes that don't enjoy their retirement" ~ My dad