An open letter to my Dad

**Don M** · 12-09-2021, 06:18 AM

We lost my Dad Monday, December 6th after a short illness (NOT COVID). But he had been fighting Parkinson's Disease for almost 20 years, which left him all but unable to do his favorite things, except for the short periods when he was "good," and could move around. He tinkered with his 1979 Corvette endlessly (so much so we are having it sent to a shop to "undo" all his tinkering LOL) so it can be driven and enjoyed by me, my brother and the grandkids. So "dad's" Corvette is going to be staying in the family.

I'm attaching the last two pics of me and dad, taken right before the Parkinson's (which he was already fighting) came down like an anvil and curtailed the majority of his physical activities. These pics were taken after I had a screaming gut NEED to do a pic of Dad & his vette and me & my Camaro. It was also taken in the winter...minutes after my wife took the pics, and dad put the vette away, we had a blizzard which would have prevented the pics from ever being taken.

__________________________________________________ _____________

Dad,

I've been trying for the last few hours to write down the things that have been going through my mind the last few days. Thoughts and memories of growing up. Things we did together, just you and me, things you taught me and things I learned and picked up from you, the effect you had on how I turned out as a man and a father, but there is just too much to write down. I was always very proud of having you as my dad, so much so, that I followed in your footsteps and became a police officer. Now I understand better about you, maybe not exactly how you felt, but with a better understanding of what it's like to be a young man with a wife and small children and having a career that consumes you more and more. Now, having walked a similar path and being close to the retirement end of my career, I have even more respect for you. When things come up, I start to find myself asking "How did Dad get through this?" Or, "How would Dad handle this?" Unfortunately, talking wasn't a strong point for either of us, so we never had any of those deep conversations that may have given me some insight as to what I should do. Maybe we could have used a bit more of Grandpa Wally in us, who wasn't afraid to give an opinion, or talk about anything.

There is so much more that I want to say, but it all boils down to this, I love you Dad, always have and always will.

**Bosko** · 12-09-2021, 06:25 AM

Very sorry for your loss, and also thanks for sharing the personal note for us to share.
Be proud you were able to have the love for your Dad and share such wonderful memories.

**dlc95** · 12-09-2021, 06:38 AM

Condolences, Don.

My Dad passed in 2017. Just yesterday I was wondering about something, and the fact that Dad wasn't around to ask hit me yet again.

**Klasse Act** · 12-09-2021, 06:40 AM

Sorry for your loss Don and thanks for sharing such a personal time with us. I lost my Dad the day after Labor Day 2006 and I too took to a forum that I was a part of and posted about his passing, it really helped me and I'm sure this helped you, we're all here for you!

Hopefully this little story puts a smile on your face. The day before my Dad died he came over in his C5 that he just had a Borla exhaust added to, the louder one, so I had to check it out! While out on our drive we raced a Camaro and smoked him...I'll always have THAT last memory of my Dad and it was something Corvette related!

It was tough posting this because I was thinking about you and your story and how fresh it is and then thought about my own Dad, I'm sure they're having a chat about their Corvettes (my Dad had a few Corvettes back in Tyr day, including a black 78' and 79'.

May your Dad RIP

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

**JDGolden** · 12-09-2021, 07:21 AM

Sorry to hear about your dad, may he rest easy.

**MisterSnoop** · 12-09-2021, 08:10 AM

Sorry for your loss.

I've always loved the looks of that era Corvette.

**Desertnate** · 12-09-2021, 08:38 AM

So sorry to hear about your loss, Don. You'll be in my prayers.

It's funny how cars play such a big role in fond memories of our loved ones.

**ptcary** · 12-09-2021, 09:51 AM

Sorry for your loss, what a wonderful post. I lost my Dad last Feb and am in the process of “restoring” his 2014 Mustang. Your connection to him through the car will never fade. And both of you automatically have my respect being a police officers.

**Azure** · 12-09-2021, 12:05 PM

Sorry for your loss, Don! Such a nice letter to your pop. I miss mine everyday and understand what your feeling right now. Many thoughts and prayers to you and your family!

**2black1s** · 12-09-2021, 12:32 PM

Sorry for your loss Don. I lost my dad in 2012. He lived in Ohio and I'm in California.

Lucky for me I was retired at the time and was able to spend almost 50% of my time in Ohio that last year including the last two months that he was alive. We knew it was coming as he fell and broke his hip which is a death sentence for someone his age (87) and health.

I remember researching broken hips and life expectancy for someone his age and found it to be around two months. Wouldn't you know it, he passed two months to the day of breaking his hip.

I was with him at his bedside the moment he passed and I am forever grateful for that.

I still find myself wanting his advice from time-to-time.