avatarDr. Seema Patel (PhD)

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Thoughts As I Lost My Father

Reflections as I come to terms with my father’s loss

Photo by Brittani Burns on Unsplash

I lost my father. Losing a parent is one of the saddest things, a person can face.

Yet, the situation was not entirely tragic. It was sweet too. Let me share.

The bad..

🌸He had gone to hospital for recovery from jaundice. He never came back home. A fulminant Hepatisis B led to fatal septicemia.

🌸My small kids, who were supposed to meet the grandpa, for the first time, never got to meet him. He never got to hug the cherubs.

🌸My mother lost her partner of 50+ years. As a loyal housewife, her life revolved around him. A huge vacuum will be there for the rest of her life.

The good..

🌿He was 77. He was weak for a month, and had serious discomfort only on the last day, before breathing his last. He lived his adult life in freedom, in joy, and in community service. He did not put any burden of care or finances on the family.

🌿I was visiting India after 4 years. Barely a week in India, it happened. I got to be with my grieving mother and siblings. If I had stayed in the USA, it would have been mere news for me. I would have chastised myself for rest of my life.

🌿A large network of relatives stepped up to offer support as we prepare for the big ceremony to honor him.

Yes, even adversities bring with them some solace.

Life has to end one day. No point denying it.

Though I am numb with the unique and irreversible loss, I take delight in the fact that he did not suffer the cruelty of aging, and the entire family has gathered to celebrate his life.

RIP father. I am internalizing your positive traits of socializing, helping people, being a lifelong knowledge seeker, and gardener.

Fathers
Father And Daughter
Death
Loss
Emotional Pain
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