04/02/2026
Today marks 6 years since my dad passed away during the height of Covid.
Six years of family milestones…
Life continues without him here to snap a hundred photos.
… graduations, new homes, a yoga studio, promotions, engagements, weddings and the births of two more grandchildren… with another on the way.
— I think of him often now that I’m pregnant myself. He was such an active grandfather and it sucks he won’t get to meet my baby girl.
Back at the end of March 2020, I was with my dad when the doctor told him they were stopping chemo.
It was just me and him.
I knew when I picked him up that day.
From the yellow color of his skin and the grimace on his face; he was in pain and the treatment wasn’t working.
Driving home from the hospital, there wasn’t much to say.
What do you say to your dad after he’s told hospice is his next and last stop?
When we got home, we sat in my car for a while and listened to Stevie Ray Vaughan strum his guitar … One of dad’s favorites.
Some people embrace death, accept it, welcome it.
— My dad was not ready.
He had 5 children, 2 grandkids and another on the way.
He worked at Pratt & Whitney for 42 years on 3rd shift.
He rarely took his vacation and worked all the overtime.
Saving for retirement. Saving, gotta save …
— Dad died a week after that appointment.
No retirement.
No spending any of the life savings.
Two months shy of meeting his first granddaughter.
I keep dad’s memory alive by reminiscing with my siblings about him often.
We celebrate his birthday and remember his death day every year.
And whenever I want to feel close to him, I listen to Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Police & America.
— Take your time off.
Save, but also enjoy your hard earned money.
Do the things you dream of doing, even if they scare you.
And if they’re in your life, tell your parents you love them. If they’re gone, take the time to honor their memory as much as you can.
🩷🖤💛
