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A Letter To My Terminally Ill Dad

Holly Johnson

Nov 16, 2015

Eastern Washington University

1371

Holly Johnson

I am writing this while sitting in a hospital waiting room. Waiting for my dad, who is terminally ill. There is nothing more anyone can do for my family. There is nothing more I can hope for. All that there is left to do is enjoy the time to come, the memories we will share, to reflect on our lives and to try and resist the pain of this harsh reality that has been thrown onto my family. Here is an open letter to my terminally ill father:

To the dad that taught me to play soccer, awkwardly sat through all of my dance recitals, scared off all of my high school boyfriends, and unconditionally loved me though every single mistake, I say thank you. Thank you for being the best father you could since the day mom brought me into this world. Thank you for encouraging me when I needed it, and picking me up when I couldn't pick myself up.

I am sorry for the mistakes I have made, for the attitude I gave and I am seriously so sorry that one time I sneaked out in the eighth grade. I am sorry I don't come home enough, I'm sorry I don't call everyday and I'm sorry I call crying because I think I failed my midterms.

Thank you for forgiving me, thank you for laughing at my eighth grade silliness, thank you for understanding I am busy, thank you for understanding I am stressed, thank you for letting me cry and beg you to let me drop out and thank you for not actually letting me drop out.

I am sorry you hurt. I am sorry you have to take so much medicine. I am sorry we go to the hospital so much. I am sorry your body has failed you. I am sorry I haven't done enough.

Thank you for smiling through the pain, for always taking your medicine, for getting up everyday through the pain, for not hating yourself and thank you for telling me I have been the best daughter. Thank you for the life you have given me.

I will be by your side until the day you take your last breathe, and I will work every day to make you proud after that. You will always be the best dad I could of asked for, you will always be one of my best friends and one day I will make it for you. For us.

Love, your daughter who isn't quite ready to let go.

Thank you for letting me share this with all of you.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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A Letter To My Terminally Ill Dad

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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