Things I Would Say to My Father

We scattered his ashes in a sheltered cove, under cloudy skies that threatened rain. We saw a pod of killer whales on the way there. Dad would have enjoyed that. Black-legged kittiwakes swirled in the air beside a cliff-face rookery, while marbled murrelets bobbed in the waves. The ash formed a murky plume behind the boat, before dissipating in the sea. Mom turned her back to hide her tears. She’s never been very emotional - growing up, I remember her crying maybe three times - but in the months since Dad died it’s been a constant thing. They were married 56 years, raised two kids, traveled the world. Yes, he was 88, but this wasn’t how it was supposed to end. At least not now, not now. They still had things to do. I am at a loss for what to say to her. My overwhelming sentiment is relief that Dad didn’t suffer, didn’t linger. He was at peace. But Mom wanted him to fight, wanted him to hold on; he may have been ready to go, but she wasn’t ready to let him/ William L. Spence , Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Is there something you wished you could say to a departed parent?