Once again i will be traveling to Chicago. This time it is to say a final goodbye to my father. I don't know how it will be to do this. I expect it will feel like my heart is breaking in a million little pieces. But also, in contrast to the sadness there will be a sense of celebration of a well lived and long life. It was easy to love my father.
We are having a military service for him, with a 21 gun salute, taps and the presentation of the American flag to his family. We are his family, his three daughters who loved him in life and will miss him deeply. I think my father would be astonished if he were to be there to experience this loud and passionate farewell. He was a quiet man, gentle and humble. But we think he is someone who deserves an honor guard to take him to his final place of rest. He would perhaps even smile a bit at our audacity. All who met or knew my Father would not ever think of him as a soldier. And yet, like all young men who find themselves called to defend all that is good in this world he was what he felt he needed to be and did what he thought right at the time.
We will miss you Dad and hold all the memories of our own lifetime of being daughters. We will tell our own children and their children the stories that are best to remember you by.
And when the time comes for me to find my own final place of rest i hope i will see you, that i can hold your hand and listen to your quiet voice tell me all is well and as it should be. Amen
Love, robin
