My mom called me at work Wednesday and told me I needed to come by after work to visit my Pops. I went and i am so glad I did as he passed away Wednesday night, well Thursday Morning, which is good as Wednesday was my sisters birthday. As I sat there with him he really wasn't all that coherent and really the only thing he said that I could understand was that he didn't know how he was going to get home since he couldn't drive. He had that rattling sound in his breathing and as a former medical worker student I knew what that meant. When my mom went to go do something and left the room i took his hand and told him I loved him but if he wanted he could let go and I had everything under control. I told him "I got this.".

I left and told my mom to call if anything happened and she called me as i was getting into bed to tell me he was gone.

The one thing I want everyone I speak with to know is that no matter what, if you get the chance to tell someone you love them do so. Over the last year I have lost family friends and relatives I have known all my life and after the first one that i didn't get to tell I have made it my mission to tell them how much I loved them before they were gone. It gives both you and them a real sense of peace when they do leave us so if you have elderly friends or family and even if they are in good health let them know because you never know if you will get the chance again.

Im one of the lucky ones who got to hold on to my Dad until their mid 50's so I have that to be thankful for and i am glad he is at peace now and no longer in pain but in our community and circle of friends we have lost a legend.

Sorry to hear of your father's passing. My father passed about 5 years ago, and I too was able to talk to him as well, but he was heavily medicated. It's sad, but time will heal. I still think of him all the time and appreciate all he did for us kids.

Its kind of surreal right now not having the old dude around but going through old pictures and talking with our group of friends has brought back old memories that I had totally forgotten. Lots of good times that I can hold on to and remember. I have made arrangements to have a small vial of ashes prepared in a brass tube that I will be placing in the bow rail of his, well mine now, Key West bay boat so that the old fart will be going out with us every time the boat hits the water. That was the one place he always enjoyed being so it is where he's gonna stay.