by Kimberly A. Cook (Twitter@ WarriorTales)
Unexpected events caused me to take a blog break last month. While I am dedicated to make my two posts a week, other things are more important. After a lovely Thanksgiving Day with family, my Dad went into the emergency room the next afternoon and he passed on Dec. 8.
It was an intense time for my family and about mid-week I remembered the blog. I made a quick post and hoped all would understand later. My close friends knew and they left some nice comments of support. It was the hardest and most amazing thing I have ever done, being with my Dad those ten days.
Grief and letting go is a process and my family is moving through it; my mother, sister and brother-in-law, plus nieces all doing what we need to do. My Dad was a great guy. He loved to laugh and take care of “his girls.” We have many wonderful memories. He was also a terrific storyteller.
Dad left me a couple of projects to finish. I interviewed him on cassette tape in 1999 about his days on the railroad, he started in 1942 and retired in 1981, steam engines to diesel. Those tapes and transcripts are gold to me now. He also wrote down his own Army Air Corps military stories from World War II for me in 2005. I have those to research and write-up. I also have a ton of photos, since I think I became the family paparazzi.
So a few words for my blog readers. Ask about family stories, audio record and film your relatives. Don’t wait. Do it now. It brings me great comfort to know I still have projects I can do with my Dad. Make sure you can do the same.
Great photo, Kim. Yes, he does have that Elvis smirk. 🙂 His girls were in good hands and deserved every bit of his love. I wish I’d recorded my mom and dad’s stories, but at least I have a trunk full of pictures!
The photo of your Dad rocks!!! You are lucky to have those stories recorded, Kim. My grandparents were great storytellers and never hesitated to share them…unfortunately, like Cindy, they weren’t recorded on a device…just on my heart. I take every opportunity to share them with my “kids” and grandchitlins in the hopes it isn’t lost. Hugs to you Girlfriend!