Oh, the regrets, they flood my memories. How I wish I had held them more often in my arms and expressed my thanks and my love. But regret is something Dad would never have wanted us to wallow in.
I can almost still smell them. Dad's cologne. Mom's Pond's skin lotion. Better parents I could not have imagined or hoped for. But as my brother in law, Kimo, always said, they were the most blessed of all people. And they heartily agreed, as they pursued their simple lives. I remember helping mom wrap her wedding presents for the children of their friends. Always looking for deals at Robinson's or May Company, usually towels. I wonder whether the recipients made comments about the humble nature of those gifts. But how did they get it all done with such modest means, working for minimum wage at Louis Roth Clothiers? God's grace, they always said.
Living life as if it would go on forever is a natural, human thing to do. But our lives have two book ends. And I suppose that thinking about that one, just to the right of the last book, is what makes us think about the bigger picture. I will go back to living now with renewed courage and determination to do what is right, but in reality, I know I will stumble through this or that.
In any case, thank you God, for giving me such people to call parents.
"I Cried," by Brandy Clark
He was tough, said he'd lived a good long lifeAnd he'd seen it all, watching 82 years fly byAnd three kids grow upSeen 'em all have kids and grandkids of their own
He was braveIf he was scared, well, you couldn't see it on his faceLike a soldier he marched through his numbered daysMade his peace with God and he was gone
I cried, oh I cried
Tried to hold my head high, ended up in my handsI cried, oh I cried
There was nothing I could do, so that was all I could do
She was strongHeld his hand when he was barely holding onShe told him, "Don't worry about me, I'll get alongYou go on to Heaven. Go on, yes."
Now she's alone, livin' the life that's too much for oneJust last night on the telephoneI could hear the lonelyin her voice
I cried. Oh I cried
Tried to hold my head high, ended up in my handsI cried, oh I cried
There was nothing I could do, so that was all I could doI cried, oh I cried
Tried to hold my head high, ended up in my handsI cried, oh I cried
There was nothing I could do, so that was all I could doOh, there was nothing I could do, so I cried
