As I was digitizing the years of paperwork from teaching, I came across this essay written by one of my middle school students about the loss of her dad at a young age. It was profound then and is now. Especially since I just watched Looper last night. Without giving the movie away, I will say that the power of what happens to us for good or evil has a profound impact in shaping our future and destiny. Can you relate to this student’s story?
Have you ever dreamed of your wedding and how your dad would walk you down the aisle? I have a lot, since I was little. However, some people lose that great image. I did when I was eight. On July 4, 1998, I woke up to what seemed like an empty house. My older cousin and his daughter were there but something was missing. It was my parents. I didn’t bother asking why they were gone; I just figured that they decided to go to an early breakfast together, (sometimes they would go to dinner together).
A short time after, my cousin got a call and told my brother, cousin, and me to get in the car. I was wondering what was going on but just stayed quiet. When we finally got to our destination I realized it was a hospital. Then I spoke up. I asked why we were here. Then he told me my dad had a heart attack! With the news, I’m surprised I didn’t have one. We were directed into a waiting room where I met up with my mom and my family. We stayed there a few hours and then my mom said it was getting late. We said goodbye to my dad and told him we loved him.
Before we left, we went into the mini-church that was in the hospital and prayed he’d live. However, something told me praying would just not be enough. Later that night a few hours after we had come home, I saw my mom come up in the driveway with my aunt. I knew by the waterfall of tears down her face that he had passed away.
No one should have to go through that kind of pain. A loss like that is something that should never have to happen. I know other people go through that and I just wish people didn’t. Even though this happens, you still have to pull together and get through with it. I know that from experience.
Sometimes it just feels better to let it out. I write when I want to let things out. I just can’t tell it to people. I don’t want to burden them with it. Some people don’t appreciate their dads and I understand that. Some people have a good reason not to like their dad.
All I know is that I would do anything to see him live another day and spend at least a little time with me once again.
