I almost lost my dad last September. In fact he was recovering from his cancer surgury on Sept 11th. I was giving band instrument demo's in the schools, and I called my Mom and told her not to drive to the hospital that day for fear of what might happen. We were so scared on many levels.
Before he went to surgury, I gave a few pints of blood so there would be a clean match if they needed it (they didn't), and I wrote a few long letters explaining just how much he means to me and my family.
Our prayers were answered with a clean bill of health, and today, dad is golfing a feww times a week, and he and Mom are planning their yearly "snow-bird" trip to Florida to get away from these brutal Philadelphia winters.
My father is the kindest, wisest, strongest person I know, and I treasure him more than life itself....and he knows it. We don't say the actual words as often as I say it to my own kids, but we have ways to show our feelings. I has been blessed with wonderful parents who have been married over 50 years, and I hope someday, MY kids will look at me the way I look at my Dad. He's the reason I wanted to BE a Dad, myself. Ever see someone who is a 100% success at what they do???? My Dad is. Maybe even MORE than 100% .... cuz he had to raise ME alomg the way! That must be some sort of handicap !