Thursday, March 25, 2010

Happy birthday to my guys.

11 years.
I really can't believe it's been that long.
My dad has been gone for 11 years. Diagnosed with cancer on his 60th birthday and gone two years later to the day. After three tumors, multiple surgeries, countless chemo sessions and eight months of gradual deterioration at home, he needed to go. We were begging for him to go. When it was over, the house was lighter. A weight had been lifted. It was finally over. He was free.
I was just 23 at the time. I felt like I was just starting to figure things out.
Since then, I've gone back to school, found the job I was made for, met my wife, bought a house, and had a little girl that would have turned my dad inside out. He'd be 73 today and I have no doubt he'd be rolling on the floor laughing and playing with her like a man half his age.
That's the part that hurts.
As much as I would enjoy sitting next to him at Wrigley Field, playing golf together or just talking hoops, I would give everything I own to see him play with Emily for one day. She would have him wrapped around her finger within seconds. That's kinda her thing.
And as I think of him this week, it's amazing how he still plays a role in our daughter's future. The other day, Kate casually mentions to me, "hey, you know who shares your dad's birthday? Dr. Paley."
If that's not a sign, I don't know what is.
We got this.

4 comments:

AS said...

Oh, Lar, I do hope you can see your three beautiful girls. We loved you so and YOU would be "out of your gord" about THEM! By the by, I can hear you using those words! Not to worry, your wife is loving them enough for both of you.

Phil D said...

This is touching. Best post yet. Stella and I read every post. Please keep up the good work.

Unknown said...

I can't believe it's been 11 years. I'll never forget the way your dad answered the phone "this is Larry Tredwell" - always made me smile :-) I'm sure your Pops is looking down on you and your family with lots of love and pride!

marcia said...

Olá, sua filha é linda, acompanho sempre o seu blog,meu nome é marcia e moro no BRASIL, tenho um menino de 3 anos que também tem PFFD, ele usa um salto de 7 centimetros e parece a sua filha, faz tudo normalmente como qualquer outra criança da sua idade, mas meu coração fica apertado quando penso em tudo o que ele irá enfrentar para fazer o alongamento, só quem passa por isso é que realmente sabe o que é o nosso dia a dia, ás vezes cheio de esperança, ás vezes um tremendo medo pelo futuro cheio de incertezas.
Gostaria muito de ter o seu contato para te mandar uma foto do meu lindo David.
com carinho, família Loureiro
meu endereço:
marciajosias@yahoo.com.br