Anniversaries and so on...

In one week my father will have been dead for 1 year...

In 6 days will be the 1 year anniversary of the last time I spoke to my father...

It wasn't really a conversation, because he could not speak, he lost the ability to speak months before. He could hear and he would respond to those around him with facial expressions, hand movements and head movements.

My daddy did not die from a stroke or a heart attack or anything sudden..it was a long, drawn out illness that took 2 years to sap the life out of him. I visited with him in November 2008...he died January 12, 2009.

My last conversation with my daddy was over the phone, with someone holding the phone for him, with his eyes open and moving...I told him "I love you daddy" and I repeated what he always said to my sister and I whenever we told him we loved him..."I know daddy..you love us more"...