My father would have been 74 today. I didn’t physically get to say goodbye to him…he died in his sleep, in his home, warm in his bed, next to my mom.
But here’s something I guess I’ve never really been public about: I think he made a short visit to me to say goodbye right after he checked out.
So, I’m what they call “agnostic.” Which means I’m just not sure how to “know” what exactly happens after death, or which faith is the one to get me to that place. I wish I knew. I guess that’s why it’s called “faith.” You believe it, you feel it, but you don’t know it.
Anyway, right about the time my dad actually died, I was watching movies with Mike, a friend who was renting a room from me at the time. As we sat there watching movies, I suddenly felt very cold. For those that know me…..know I never get cold. But at that moment, I got real cold.
I grabbed a blanket, and that’s when I noticed I was shaking and my teeth were chattering. I remember asking Mike to throw me yet another blanket, as I felt no relief from the cold with one. Still, under two blankets, I shivered, even more violently, and wondered aloud just what the hell was happening.
As quickly as it started, the cold feeling was gone. The whole thing didn’t even last five minutes, and I was back to normal.
Shortly after, my phone rang. It was my mom. She told me the news that he was gone.
I guess it doesn’t really matter if it was him or not. In my head and in my heart, I believe it was….. and to that I say “thanks dad”, “happy birthday”, and “please, stop in again.” ☺