As my mom, Patricia LaBean, and I placed our order for funeral flowers, on that day in May of 2008, she told the florist, “Fifty years ago July, I was here with my boyfriend ordering our wedding flowers!” It seemed like she lived a lifetime with her childhood sweetheart but it didn’t matter, it was all taken away in a moment’s time. We had no idea how to begin grieving the loss of my beloved father and my mom’s soul mate, LaVern LaBean (known by all as Buck). Our lives were shattered by his death.
My mom’s biggest fear was to live by herself after being accustomed to having someone’s company. Suddenly, she was alone! Her advice to anyone who might be frustrated with their loved ones, “You don’t realize what you have until you lose it. You take them for granted because you think you’ll go on together forever and that isn’t the case.” I can appreciate her message, “Be thankful every day for your family!”
Our family of six was now down by one and everything felt incomplete. I felt like my soul had been ripped out of my body. I pushed forward in my busy life and I tried to involve my mom anyway I could. But I couldn’t help thinking, “I knew my father for 38 years and his death felt like my world was over. How can I help my mom when she was married to him for almost 50 years!”
In her words, “It is hardest for me at night when I’m trying to sleep and thoughts go through my mind. I know it is bad to say but sometimes I feel like I’m just existing, waiting to die, waiting for my turn. At first things that reminded me of him like his birthday, songs, certain flowers, a Coke (he retired from Coca-cola) made me sad. But now, they make me happy. I feel him around me and I know I’ll see him again someday. I really miss his sense of humor. He was always such a character, and he kept me laughing all of the time!”
I realize now we can still feel him by keeping his memory alive. It is healing to reminisce about the good times. Even though physically he is not in our lives any longer, he continues to live in our hearts.
We celebrate the miracle of life each year on the anniversary of his death. One year to the day, after our loss, my niece gifted our family with her first born, Kylie Madison Booth. We embrace this blessing, one we’re sure Dad helped orchestrate from beyond the grave!
Tags: grief, hope
A powerful message from your mum about being thankful everyday for having family. Glad to know you are keeping your dad’s memories alive. Families are the most important people we have in our lives and by sharing with them we celebrate living.
Sanjay, we can all learn through others experiences; the loss of my Father taught me to celebrate and appreciate even more so the life of my Mother. Thanks for your feedback!
Kathy, we are all a product of those we hold close in our hearts. I am sure your mom takes comfort in seeing your father in you and in all the people he has touched. I know you well enough to say that your father was a good man. This experience that you have gone through will allow you to render comfort to those who will have the same feeling of loss. My prayers go out to you and your family as the feeling must be hard in the loss of your dad.
Kathryn, thank you for sharing your story, thoughts, and feelings dealing with your loss. My dad died a little over a year ago. It was the hardest thing I have ever dealt with. Comforting my mom is the second hardest thing I’ve had to do. Reading your story has helped me know I am not alone with these tough experiences. Thanks, Laura Edwards.
It is so hard to see someone we love in pain especially when we’re not able to make it go away. But, I’m sure, our Mom’s realize we are there for them and this, in itself, helps comfort their sorrow. My sincere thoughts are with you both!
I have gone through the loss of my father at the age of 15 and it tears my heart out that he is not here because he was my best friend and the only person in my immediate family I could comfortably cry in front of and be held by and told it was going to be okay. I know how you feel Kathryn, but think about all the things you got to do with your father that I don’t get to do.
this is my new comments.