A few months ago my dad showed me
this picture saying it was his favorite and that he was so happy then. I also had a copy of this picture and it was
my favorite too. My sweet father, Edgar Evans Riebsomer,died Sunday, January 15, 2012 at the age of
ninety-one. I had the privilege of being there with him as he quietly slipped
away, suffering no more. It’s been a long journey for him. It was a life
well-lived, a life to be celebrated.
My dad is holding my brother and
me on his lap in the picture. My brother,Dennis Evans Riebsomer, died in April 2011 and now my dad has
passed, yet I don’t feel alone. I feel Dad’s love all around me. My brother lived a chaotic life and I hope he is at peace. I know my dad is at peace because he was ready to go.
Dad taught me that love was not
finite and that the more you gave, the more you received. He loved and gave to
us all unconditionally. He taught me how to parent unselfishly, to let my son
be who he wanted to be.
He worked hard his whole life and
worked part-time for about fifteen years after he “retired.” He was the
youngest of seven and cared for all of his siblings as they aged. He played
tricks on us every chance he got. His glass eye was his favorite prop. Dad was
Santa Claus personified and played him for families and at parties for years.
When Dad hugged you, you knew everything would be alright.
I know there were times that I
hurt him, but he never made me feel guilty. He was simply always there, and now
he’s not. I’m sure I will feel lost at some point, now I just feel relief that
he is no longer suffering as he had been for almost two years. When I arrived
two days before his death, he was unresponsive after a fall that caused a brain
bleed. It was only a matter of time at that point. I spent the next two nights
sitting up with him and quietly talking to him about how much I loved him and
about all of his family who would be so happy to see him again. I just talked
about anything I could think of to bring him comfort. I hope he heard me; I
have to believe that he did.
Rebekah for the Poplar Grove Muse
Rebekah, the mutual love between the two of you shines through in this beautiful piece of writing.
ReplyDeleteYou honored his spirit beautifully with your words.
ReplyDeleteLove the giggly little girl on his lap in this picture.
Rebekah, What a loving piece. I actually feel peaceful reading in. You are both illuminated in the light of unconditional love here. Thanks for sharing. --Beth
ReplyDeleteThanks Rebekah for sharing.
ReplyDeleteRebekah,
ReplyDeletewhat gift to all of us and your Dad.carole
You have the same smile as your Dad :)
ReplyDeleteAs always you make us all proud to be called your family. Those thoughtful words of the man that we all loved.
ReplyDeleteI know he is looking to you to remember and keep his family alive with all your writing.
yours truly Brian
What a beautiful portrait, full of rich, deep emotion and still containing your trademark humor. My favorite readback line: "His glass eye was his favorite prop." This tells a lot about where you got your sense of humor. Susan
ReplyDeleteWonderful piece. I saw a mutual friend of ours at the grocery store the other day. I said to her, "If each family had just one Hafey, I'm convinced there would be peace and joy on Earth."
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful piece. I'm sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteKatie