When you’re seven and your dad dies you will think about that time he told you to move out of the way when you were walking through the front door, “cause you know I might fall on you.”
And you will giggle because your dad is great big and would never fall on you even if he is sick and slow moving.
But the next thing you knew you had a beast of a man on top of your legs and you looked at him horrified while scrambling out from under him, “are you okay!?!” he asked.
The irony of that question is not lost on you, even at seven years old.
You glance from your leg to the tiny threshold he was unable to step over and frown at the new chink in your kid armor that is supposed to protect you from understanding.
You will learn that when someone warns you to get out of the way, you should get out of the way.
Because sick and slow moving can make anyone fall.
Beth Anne says
My dad passed away when I was 8…21 years ago and it still seems like it was yesterday. I love hearing stories about him though. It used to be really hard but now it is a little easier.
Every time I link-up with these prompts we always pick the same prompt :) great minds!
Mama Kat says
I had a really hard time in the middle school years. It’s amazing how one human can impact your entire life like that.
Beth Anne says
I know! I did okay until my early 20s. I had a year when both my grandmother’s passed away and it made me realize how I never really dealt with my dads death. I’m a totally different person now just 4 years later.
Mimi says
I can’t even imagine what that moment must’ve been like, but your words had an amazing impact emotionally. Your poor dad, in that moment. Breaks my heart, same as thinking about it from your perspective.
Mama Kat says
I know, now that we’re parents it’s different to look at it from their perspective. Falling on your child and knowing beforehand that is likely to happen? I would be devastated.
Andrea says
You write so beautifully about your dad. Thank you for sharing your precious memories of him here, even when they are hard ones. xo
Kathy says
It’s truly amazing how much power can be packed into eight lines (typed through teary eyes). I’m sorry that you had to learn that lesson at such a young age.
ps. I used your Instagram posting from the other day as inspiration for my post. I hope you don’t mind but, if you do mind, please let me know. Congratulations on becoming a great-aunt!
Mama Kat says
It’s true right? Because each line needs to mean something. I love the challenge of writing only a few lines! Definitely don’t mind you using that pic as inspiration. You never know, you might join the great-aunt club sooner than you think! ;)
Elaine A. says
That family picture… oh so precious. I’m so sorry about your loss.
And yes, this short post packs a punch.
Mama Kat says
My little sister does not like that picture because she wasn’t born yet…maybe that’s why it’s a favorite of mine. ;)
John Holton says
I was almost eleven when my dad died. He went into the hospital the Sunday after Thanksgiving and never came out. It must have been terrible to have that happen to you.
Mama Kat says
Oh man, that must have been traumatizing. A boy’s relationship with his Dad is so important. Sounds like you can relate to exactly what that loss was like for me.
Kir says
Oh my friend. Big Hugs.
(I lost my dad at 26 but damn if it doesn’t hurt at any age. Right? )
Mama Kat says
I always thought that people who lost parents when they were night and old (like 26) had it SO much better. But then we lost my step-dad when I was 19 and I realized NOPE…STILL REALLY SUCKS. It was a lesson I would have been happy NOT to learn.
Kimberly says
So much love.
Your memory is still so vivid — even at that young age. My heart hurts for you. No child should have to lose a parent. So much love.
Natalie says
So powerful, it made me cry. It made me feel. It’s beautiful. Hugs.
Paula Kiger (Big Green Pen) says
I can’t think of an adequate response to this (except thank you for sharing so beatifully….). Living with an 86 year old who falls (often) ….. is different I know but the visual is very real for me every day.
Mama Kat says
It has to be so surreal to care for an elderly parent. That role reversal is not something I look forward to, it must be hard!