Sunday, November 17, 2013


My dad died early in the morning on September 30. A few hours later, we went on a walk down Old Falls Road as the sun came up. It was the only thing that felt right to do. Walks down that old street will always be his.

Later that day, Jessica ran into a neighbor on the street. He had noticed the hearse arriving so very early. Why was he awake and aware of things going on outside? His own wife had died of cancer a decade ago, maybe more. His twin daughters lived together in an apartment in a neighboring town, one of whom, it turns out, also has some sort of illness. How little we neighbors have shared of our lives. This neighbor is a thoughtful man, probably a little lonely, who goes on walks himself and will trap you in conversation if you aren't careful.

"I am sorry about your father," he started out. "You know, I always loved seeing you girls coming over and talking your father our for walks. It was such a beautiful thing."

"Thank you," Jessie replied.

"No more walks." He said sadly.

"No more walks," she repeated.

And with the first month of surreality and recovery from the exhaustion accompanying both caring for someone with my dad's condition and attending death, and then the handling the services, we are left with facing our feelings again, which is the harder part. I have wanted to try to pour them out onto the page, but when it comes down to it that small conversation of which I was not even a part sums it all up better than I could attempt with more words.

No more walks.

4 comments:

Eliza said...

Beautiful. So so sorry. :(

Sister Tara Bowen said...

Thanks for sharing, Alex. I have been checking your blog to see how your family is doing, and I am so sorry you lost your dad. He was in our bishopric back in the day, and I have always loved and admired your family. Reading your posts has helped me feel like I need to seize the day more with my own dad. You did more with your dad and for your dad than I have ever done, but I hope to follow your example and work to make him more a part of my life.

Erin said...

There are no words. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you. Take care of yourself.

Ashley said...

I have been thinking about you so much since your dad died and wondering how you are doing. It is just so sad that there are no more walks. I'm so sorry.