The post by Brother BABB4214 about his Dad passing brought me to starting this thread. That and the fact that this very topic has been on my mind a lot recently.
Before I go any further, let me say that I do not know BABB4214 and have not correspnded with him about the type of relationship he had with his Dad..... as I said.... his thread just got me thinking. He's so damn young to lose a parent..... 23 years old..... I can't even imagine.
This isn't meant to be preachy.... just my thoughts and experiences......
I'm 48 years old and both of my folks are still with us and in good health for the most part.
As I've posted before, back in my late twenties until about the time I was 30, my Dad and I had zero relationship. We had a disagreement that led to this and for over three years we didn't speak a word between us or have any interaction. It bothered me every single day for those three years. Finally I decided that I wasn't going to live like this anymore and that I was going to try and fix the relationship. So I tried..... to no avail. But I kept trying and little by little Dad came around. I had to eat some crow that I didn't really beleive I should have had to eat BUT it was such a very small price to pay to fix the relationship with my Dad.
That was about 17 years ago. Dad and I have had an amazing relationship since then.
I thank God that the relationship was healed. I can't imagine that if he had pased in those three years that we were estranged..... that I could have lived with myself. I look back now on all the things we've done in the last 17 years and can't imagine having missed those things. Dad turns 75 next week and I know he won't be around for many more years..... he could leave us at any time (a really bad heart).
When the day comes that he goes Home, I'll remember what a great time we had in the last years and that he was a great Dad to have around but also a great friend.
SO!........ If you have a broken relationship with a loved one..... go ahead eat that crow...... it isn't so bad. The rewards will last forever.
Bury that hatchet...... that loved one can be gone at any time.
Very moving story Mike and thanks for sharing that. My own Dad has been gone 10 years now and I really miss him. We didn't always see eye to eye but we had a pretty good relationship. So yeah, I agree with you, bury the hatchet and eat crow if that's what it takes, life is too short !!
Once again another thoughtful and thougt provoking post Mike and words we should all live by. While I have never had anything but a great relationship with my dad (and for that matter all my family) my parents are aging. The realization has hit me that the time we have together is very limited. As a result I spend as much time with them, even little things like going to a movie or dinner together, so that I can build a storehouse of good memories.
Excellent post, Mike...
That is precisely the issue with this song by Mike & the Mechanics....
I can't listen to it without getting a lump in my throat.