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Posted by Kevin Mienke [173.27.208.226] on Friday, March 18, 2011 at 13:58:35 :
In Reply to: It doesn't get much better than this sometimes posted by Ron in Indiana [71.97.183.184] on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 20:38:50 :
I was with my dad the day he died. In the hours before he drew his last breath, talk was difficult for both of us -- difficult on my part because I had a lump in my throat -- difficult for him because he was laboring for each breath.
Instead of forcing hard conversation, I sat looking at him, memorizing his face and taking in the feeling of being near him. I sat thinking about all the tinkering and talking we had done over the years. I thought about the 1960’s, the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. I thought about the many projects we had done together. I thought about the Power Wagon hubs he rebuilt with aged hands…an oxygen cannula on his face. I thought about all of the conversations we had had with wrenches in our hands.
As I sat thinking these things, I touched his hand, and he squeezed my fingers. I knew then that words were not needed. He was thinking of the same things. Goodbye was being said without a single word. We knew each other well because we had done so much together.
I admire you Ron. I admire any man who takes the time to tinker and talk with his son.
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