The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough
-Rabindranath Tagore
I sat and pondered whether or not there was an opportunity to engage with him one last time. The last days had been horrific, tubes, machines, nurses, doctors.
During the week I had sat there he had looked at me to give him the answers, why the pain, why the effort to breath. I had no answer, only time. Time to give him, as he had given to me for all those years.
His eyes pleaded, his fear obvious. I held his hand; I knew this was his end. There was no fight left in him. We sat together united in blood. When the moment came he let go, drifted into eternity. Ever so gently he left me, a kiss, and an exclamation of love. Later I reflected on those last minutes, being physically and spiritually engaged.
Time is all there was
With love I held your hand
A kiss and goodbye
Morpethroad 
Reading this through tears….beautiful and touching. The presence of your love for him is delicate but strong in each word. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Anja, that’s a beautiful comment, glad it has touched you.Thank you!
Agree with Anja, by the simple use of your words you have shown us how much love you had for your dad. A poignant piece Summer and a day that you will remember, now hopefully with a gentle smile.
Thanks RM, that’s a lovely comment, much appreciated.
You are most welcome my friend.
Lovely, touching, HONEST. Pass the tissues will ya..
It is very honest because he is describing something real and very personal. It can be very hard and leave someone vulnerable to open up like this and allow others to read.
I could not agree more. You feel the love in his words
Thank you Anja.
thank you, but its not you in need of the tissues
I did not mean to be hurtful, I was simply saying how moving this piece is..I am sorry if you think I was being unthoughtful.
Friday was my dad’s first anniversary. Thank you for your comment I appreciate that you meant no offense. All is good.
A truly wonderful sharing, well-written and wrenching. Thanks!
Hello Brenda, thanks for that lovely comment.
Welcome to my blog.
I’ll come back soon!
Love this.
Thank you Angie, lovely to see you visit.
So beautiful, touching, and sad (hugs)
Thank you, I am happy that you have read this…(hugs back)
This moved me to tears… so wonderful, and still isn’t that exactly how we want to slip away….?
Thanks Bjorn, I am pleased you were able to connect with my words.
A very emotional piece.
May your dad continue to rest in peace.
And – may all the love & kisses always live within your heart.
Thanks RoSy. I appreciate your kindness. Can I also say thank you for the Gratitude video the other day, my friend and I have put it to use, writing letters and ringing up people to read them out. Very emotional but so uplifting. I even made a call to the US. Its made me step out of my comfort zone, so thank you for sharing that video with me. xx So this is my small letter of gratitude to you for putting me onto it.Thanks RoSy
You’re welcome.
Wow – You just made my heart smile big. I can’t even describe how I feel with what you just said – almost like I feel my soul being hugged – if that makes any sense.
Blessings to you & your friend.
Thanks RoSy,have emailed you a link you might enjoy seeing.
A beautiful and moving haibun Michael. I share almost the exact memory with my own father. Alone, just he and I in the room, similar scenario, intensive pain, trouble breathing and fear transmitted to me (he had been such a very strong man), his hand holding mine so tightly. Damn it was hard Michael. But I was there for him, I had promised and I was. He was at peace. I must say your words brought back that night with great clarity. But I understand completely those deep feelings felt in that moment and those that you feel today, my friend. xx
Thanks Penny, I had a few hard days, a year ago it was very difficult time. Lovely to receive your words of support Penny.
They were meant most sincerely.
Yes Penny I know, thanks again
🙂
this week i said goodbye to a childhood friend. your pain must be so much harder because of blood ties. may your father rest in peace and blessings to you and loved ones. ♥
Thank you Sun, I appreciate your kind words.
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Bravery and strength in pain..moving
Thank you for your comment, I appreciate you reading my post.
I hope the anniversary passed as easily as it could. Saying ‘your dad wouldn’t want you to be like this’ is guaranteed to arouse intense anger in me at the moment – I know that is a journey I need to go through. Writing about these moments helps us deal with them, somehow. Wishing you well. The pain is right there, but beautifully expressed. x
Thanks Freya, writing about my time with him was how I dealt with the stress of the day to day. In my blog there is a story called, ‘Bedtime Story’. I wrote that piece the day before he died. If you read it you will understand where I was at that time.I know it is a hard time for you as well, I wish you well too.
Beautifully heart wrenching. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks Celestine for reading and your comment, I appreciate your words.
Very moving, the feeling is passed on to the reader very intensely.
Thanks Eric, I appreciate your comments, this was an easy one to write in many ways.