Dad’s Ghost

Summary

The author reflects on a poignant dream about their father's death, juxtaposing it with memories of their time together and the perceived lack of love and reciprocity in his life.

Abstract

In a moving personal narrative, the author recounts a dream where their father passed away, evoking a sense of loss and unfulfilled potential. The dream is a stark contrast to happier times when father and child would enjoy drives together, but it also underscores the author's belief that their father, a kind and hardworking man, did not receive the love he deserved, particularly from the author's mother. The author is left with a lingering sadness, sensing an injustice in their father's life of labor that resulted in less for him, despite his contentment claims. The dream's haunting imagery of the father dissolving before the author's eyes encapsulates the fear of his life's work and presence being forgotten.

Opinions

The author harbors a deep sense of injustice regarding their father's life, which they feel was marked by unreciprocated love and a lack of fulfillment.
There is a perceived disparity between the father's good-natured disposition and the lack of love he experienced, especially from the author's mother.
The author doubts the sincerity of their father's assertions of happiness and contentment, feeling that his true emotions are being concealed.
The dream reflects the author's fear of their father's legacy and the tangible impact of his life being lost or undervalued.

Dad’s Ghost

I had a dream my father died he was laying on the ground I was singing above him “Open your eyes, open your eyes, come back to me.”

On Sundays we would ride through the trees of Upstate NY in his Sunbeam, listening to music just him and me

such a laid-back guy, good natured, sweet soul, but I wish he had experienced more love in his life

so much to give and never reciprocated by my mom daddy’s little girl, maybe

or perhaps I just saw the injustice of spending your life working for other people to end up with less than them, less than before

and yet, he tells me he’s happy, he tells me he’s not wasting away but his lie burns inside my belly because I know, I feel it in my bones.

I had a dream he was dead without having lived I see him smile and laugh, reach out and hug me but before I can feel his embrace, he dissolves in front of me, like he was never there at all