"I love you, Dad."

[lake42ks]

<p>This woke me up this morning, completely:</p>

<p>

On a July afternoon in 1983, my mother and I were out together when we got word that my father had collapsed. We rushed to the emergency room and found him lying on a stretcher, unconscious. He had suffered a massive stroke, and the doctors warned us there was very little time, if any.</p>

<p>I remember standing behind my mother as she placed her hand on his and leaned over him. “Tommy, can you hear me?” she asked several times and with no response. I glanced at a nurse, who just lowered her eyes. After several minutes, my mother whispered, “I love you, Tommy,” and turned away, trembling and in tears.

</p>

<p>I heard it on Bob Edwards Weekend, and I found it at this link: [A</a> Death He Freely Accepted Greg Gatjanis | This I Believe](<a href=“http://thisibelieve.org/essay/1383/]A”>http://thisibelieve.org/essay/1383/).</p>

<p>This may help parents understand kids left for college that they love you.</p>

[romanigypsyeyes]

<p>Beautiful. I almost lost my dad when I was in seventh grade. In many ways, I did considering he had no idea who me or my mom were. It’s been a struggle ever since due to ongoing problems but I’m still grateful that I got a second chance with him. Seeing your dad hooked up to life support at the age of 13 has a way of ensuring that you know that life is short and you need to concentrate on the small things like I love yous and simple pleasures.</p>

[Pootie]

<p>Two days ago, a friend of mine died unexpectedly. He has a 21 year old son in college. We all need to tell those we love that we love them. Now. You never now what lies ahead…</p>

[bbccpp]

<p>Wait for it, wait for it…Who?</p>

[lake42ks]

<p>I was not thinking about death, I was struck by the dad’s response to the 4 words he’d never heard before (or not in recent years). How powerful words can be or something behind the words.</p>