Posted by
Red Patriot on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 4:55:25 PM
Today is the second anniversary of my father's passing into the next life. If I don't think about it, I'm okay, but of course certain unrelated things like a tie, or a Yankees game (he was a big fan) will remind me of him. Sometimes it will make me tear up. He was not the most emotionally expressive man but his eyes told me many things. I could look at his eyes and see worry, fear, anger, pain and moments of joy and delight . It was rare that he was outwardly happy except for moments of prayer or recounting tales of his life in India, you could see him light up. After his stroke and quadruple bypass surgery in 1999, he smiled but they were not the deep smiles I saw before, nor did I hear his hearty laughs. Neither did I see his outbursts of anger either anymore. He was quieter, sweeter and more contemplative and even more depressed, which is symptomatic of post-stroke patients. He read his Bible everyday till he was no longer able
It is still hard to believe on many days that he is gone. Holidays and birthdays come and go and they feel emptier knowing he is not here. Not that he said or did much but his mere presence was comforting. I will remember our trips as children to Bear Mountain NY, the Bronx Zoo, Coney Island, Great Adventure and then later to Albany and Vermont to visit my sister at college. Certain foods will remind me of my father because he was a good cook. I miss his Biryanis and Beef Curries. I remember my Mom and Dad staying up late during the holidays making Indian sweets. We didn't put up a Christmas tree or color Easter eggs but I certainly remember what it means to know Jesus as my personal savior and what we must do in order to be ready for his second coming. With the events in our country and abroad, those signs of the end times ring clear in my heart. For those spiritual gifts I will always be grateful. Rest in Jesus Dad.