'The cancer did not care that he was a good man, the best I've ever known'

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When a parent dies, for those left behind it can feel as though half of the sky has fallen. My father was the sheltering sky, and beneath his mild firmament no storm ever raged, no hard rain fell, writes John Birmingham

When a parent dies, for those left behind it can feel as though half of the sky has fallen. My father was the sheltering sky, and beneath his mild firmament no storm ever raged, no hard rain fell. His nature was as gentle as the fallen world is brutish. All of our lives, he was both a bastion against the trespasses of ill fate and the predations of the inimical. Shortly after three o'clock on Monday morning, June 19 2017, my father drew in his last breath and let go of his hold on the world.

For a weird, contrary moment, it felt as though the foolish and precipitate act of opening that door had killed my father, as though we would still have him with us if only I'd been allowed to wait and hide in there forever. And now, finally, it was defeated. It had run wild through his body, up and down his spine, through his flesh, into his bones. But now it had nowhere left to run. It would go with him from this place to another place and it would burn. I imagined it, sentient and cruel, screaming as it died in the fire of the crematorium.That feeling of vengeful contentment recurred a week later, when I knew he had indeed been given to the flames. And it was even more satisfying then.

For they are the actions that a man might play, But I have that within which passes show, These but the trappings and the suits of woe.

 

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So true and so well written to communicate the devastating loss of a parent

Need to pick your parents very carefully. Most important decision of your life, after deciding to be born!

I lost my Mum five years ago, she was 88 and I was in my late 60's, I lost my Dad many years ago, ever since she died I can't shake the knowledge and fear of being an orphan.

HkarterKarter My dad was not the father you dad was, and yet, even with his many, many, too many flaws, yet his passing 7 years ago still haunts me.

FionaGillen2013 Cancer claimed my cousins, Frances (got it at 12 died at 22) and Vanda (got it at 11 died at 14) - what the fuck had they done in life to deserve this I would scream at the sky for years. They were my playmates, my were my blood and at 60, I miss them still.

Prufrockery I lost my dad to cancer last year. I think the first paragraph is all I can get through right now. Beautifully done x

That opening paragraph is so beautiful and poignant. My dad also died in 2017. What you have written in many ways reflects my own responses. Thank you.

Also this:

😢😢😢RIP.😢

God bless all these beautiful souls who gave us so much love and joy. . . May we each continue their lives by expressing to others the love and strength that enriched us.

Beautiful, poignant story. So Much love 💕 😔

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