My daddy died.

My sister called to tell me. It was 5:30am this morning. My daddy had just died. I was so numb and asleep, it was hard to know if this was real or a dream. My family had gone to the UT game in Knoxville, yesterday and on the way home there was a bad wreck stopping traffic so we did not get home until 2am. I thought about how quickly he had become ill. Living to a ripe age, yet death took him fast. He did not suffer. He simply went to sleep as his heart slowed from the infection process dropping his pressure. I talked to him on Thursday, after he had gotten ill. He said he felt better, he would go to the doctor that afternoon. His voice sounded strong, real, certain. I love my daddy. I have always loved him. I have hurt so deeply since my momma died that I had trouble going to their home to see him. I would be fine if he came to my house or meet him for dinner, but something about going to the house just ripped my heart out. In June, my children and me picked him up and took him to dinner. I had planned to eat at a little place in Cowan but it was closed, so we settled on Mexican. I ordered for him as he had never eaten Mexican and he ate all the chips and cheese dip like they were the best he had ever had. He told my children stories, made them laugh, remembered people's names from 60 years ago, and spent the evening with us. I remember wanting my dad to move to a different place. I felt so sad that he could not keep his home better, but he really did not want us to do it for him. Today I realize he is gone. He is eternally present with my momma. His hip doesn't hurt him this morning. He doesn't have to make himself a cup of coffee or drive to the Cracked Cup for breakfast. He isn't lonely anymore. He won't worry about his garden or his yard or losing his car keys today. We will need to find a home for his last two beagles that he still took rabbit hunting. My daddy was not the perfect man, but he was my daddy. Without my daddy, I would not be here today or be the youngest of four children, so I am forever grateful to be here today, feeling sad, hurt, shocked, but knowing he did love me and I will always love him.