In March, we lost Papa. His last words to me were “Try to enjoy the rest of your trip” and I have taken that in the most Gestalt, macro, big picture way that I can, as though he was here for an eighty-five-year long trip and I’m fifty-one years into my own trip.
Begs the question, how is vacation time allotted in the afterlife?
As I’m officially fatherless, the good part about Father’s Day is that I picked the best father for my own kids. I also appreciate that we don’t have to have an event especial for it. I did not know it was Father’s Day weekend until I was leaving work on Friday and a colleague mentioned cooking out for Father’s Day. The Mister didn’t know it was Father’s Day weekend until someone wished him a happy one as he left work on Friday.
We celebrate few holidays. Now that the kids are all adults, sometimes there’s this awkward pause in the air and people stare at us like we have three heads, because no, no, we don’t have plans.
Except we did have weekend plans. On Saturday morning, we met The Mister’s company participants at Indy Pride for their section of the parade. Pride is Love. It’s love from a stranger. So many thoughts run through my head — squealing with delight, belonging, admiring, humor, kindness, grace, warmth, self-expression, generosity of spirit, free love, free hugs, free water, freedom from oppression. A wave rushes through, the beauty and joy claim all who come, and in a moment of heavy, deep base vibrating through me and sunshine on my face, I felt my father with me. It stopped me in my tracks and held me there with tears, and it wasn’t grief, it was love.
It’s nice my father spent some of his afterlife vacation time with me.
Maybe one day I’ll be on a golf course, or a race track, or a steel drum concert, and Papa will come hug my soul like that. He gave the tightest hugs.
joeyfullystated 
Thank you for your post. I miss my dad. Happy Fathers Day!
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Thank you for being a LOVER.
I don’t understand the other kind of person.
That is a lovely memory to have of your dad, and to know he’ll be with you.
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This is a beautiful post, in so many ways.
💕
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I don’t think anything would make your father prouder than to know you’re taking his advice and living your life in a similar fashion. Carry on with love.
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😘🩷
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Sounds like he was telling you that this life on earth is just one journey you will take. Such a beautiful tribute to your papa! May you. keep on feeling his tightest of hugs.
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Nice Dad post. Also good to hear about kindness, understanding, and tolerance in these very challenging times.
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Good wishes for the way you celebrate this journey of life, Joey. Cheers for your day of pride with Mister and that special visit from dad.
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I’m so sorry for your loss, my dear. It sounds like he was (and IS) a wonderful man. I know he fathered a wonderful daughter. HUGS
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Lost my dad a few years back. It does tend to leave a dent.
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My condolences on your loss. I know your father would be proud of you carrying on, abiding by his last wish. Your Father’s Day weekend sounds like it was perfect.
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I agree with River. This is so tender and loving. My deepest sympathies on your loss.
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Thank you.
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That is a lovely testament to your father and your relationship together. I hope you get many more spirit hugs on your journey into the future. I remember my father in ways that are different. Whenever I bargain shop and put something back because it isn’t cheap enough, I know he is whispering over my shoulder. That, and every time I eat coleslaw. Based on how much he made when I was a kid, it was his favorite food.
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Thank you. The spirit hugs, they should vary as much as the people who passed on.
Cole slaw IS delicious. It’s such a pain to make, he really must have loved it!
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Hi Joey, we do not celebrate a lot of these holidays ’round here – and i call them Hallmark holidays. Condolences for your father and wow, he had an eighty-five-year long trip? My dad had seventy and we were glad for that too. Hope you are having a nice month of July !
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I missed this post the first time it went out. I’ve had to refollow you. Sigh WP gremlins I guess.
I’m sorry for your loss. This is a lovely tribute to your Dad. I hope you get that hug when you need it, and when you least expect it. ❤️
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Thinking of you as we head into the holiday season. I remember my first round of big days after losing my mom — it can be really hard. Sending you love.
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