My father , my Dad , died 15 years ago and today is his birthday. He would have been 103 years old. Over the intervening years when he wasn’t around many times I only wish I could have spoken with him more. Looking back I did not spend enough time with him. I was always too busy and that is a regret.
I never wrote him a letter so today on his birthday I’m writing to him.
Dear Dad,
I’m sorry we never got the chance to say goodbye. By the time I got to the hospice you were gone. Since then I kick myself often and wanted to write to apologise. I hope I’m not late again.
The fact that you were virtually deaf in your last years didn’t help with our communication but I just should have just sat there. Looking back you broke your back to give me a great education and upbringing only for me to go off and far away in my career. They call that progress but is it ? Our children we want them to succeed but real success can only be found in real relationships.
A lot happened since you left. I think we are on the brink of another world war. In fairness you kept going on about is very reality and here we are today. Yes the Russians and Chinese kicked up as you said they would. In America they want to send one of their ex Presidents to prison for using his company funds to pay off a porn star. Of course he did but we are in a world now of ‘ so what ‘ , everything and anything goes.
Britain that fought so hard to protect Europe in two World Wars , eventually left it and the country sunk thereafter like potholes on the road. The Post Office sent people to prison and though we still lick the stamps sending mail is dying out along with those Postmen.
King Charles made it to the throne then took ill but he’s getting better and his head replaced Elizabeth’s on those stamps. Nothing is the same then again what’s life without change. The simple life is not so simple these days and I’m sure you are better off where you are.
They haven’t been back to the Moon since you left but they are going to Mars these days and they have satnav to guide them there. You would like the guy that’s doing it his name is Musk. He makes cars , messages and reusable rockets. He’s probably on the spectrum but I’ll explain what that is another time.
Anyway Dad I hope to see you soon ( not too soon of course ) and then we can catch up on some of those lost years. Happy birthday wherever you are. Lastly I remember you telling me ‘ you’re a long time dead ‘ so I’ll continue to make the best of this wonderful life you gave me but you forgot to tell me I’d have to pay for it.
I love you Dad . Ok it’s the first time I ever told you but it was like that in those days. I told you I had regret.
qbitblogger 
Thank you for this touching epitaph to your dear old Dad. I have some similar feelings towards my father who was born a year after yours 1922 – if I’ve done my maths right [not my strongest suit].
He died of a brain tumour which took along time, but I was lucky in that I was able to tell him I loved him when I visited him in hospital once during the early stages of his disease. He wasn’t able to say it back because it wasn’t the sort of thing men of his generation were able to say, but I knew he heard because he told my mother who then told me.
And I didn’t need to hear him say it back because he showed his love through all he did for me and our family.
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He heard you . I think there are many similar stories as the blogger told. Thanks for your comment.
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