Just got back from Pop's viewing a little while ago.
There wasn't a lot of people there, a few relatives, my in-laws, a friend of me and Pop's from the ammo plant and Greg the Whiney L'il Bitch from my job. Luckily they were all motherfuckers that I had already seen so I didn't get hugged on too much.
Pops looked pretty good for being dead. Dress blues, medals and awards, a few pictures of family tucked into a pocket, his pipe in his hand, a 5.56 round over his heart and a fucking III patch on the pillow next to his head. He was in a plain wooden casket like he requested with a US Army seal on the inside of the lid, flag draped over the bottom.
Now I was with him when he died, hell, I was holding his hand and had my other hand on his chest when he expired, but to see him in his coffin..... fuck, man. So final, it wasn't a bad fucking dream, it's a done deal.
So the funeral's tomorrow at 10, then a Patriot motorcycle club will escort him to Lakewood for his Military Honors.
He'll be dead and buried and then the hard part starts.
My heart goes out to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteWirecutter, I have been reading your blog for some time now. I am sorry to hear about the loss of your father. I think it will do you good to keep your blog up and running, you reach more people than you know. All the best. G.
ReplyDeleteHang in there, buddy.
ReplyDeleteDamn you relate things well. I can see and feel what you're saying. Oh Lord, it's a hard process.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Guys.
ReplyDeleteI write it out a lot easier than I say it. Lisa's getting godammed sick and tired of grunts and shoulder shrugs.
Thank you for sharing this part of your life with us Kenny. As Timbo said, you relate things well. Your words paint a vivid picture, that's one of the things that has kept me hooked.
ReplyDeleteFor those of us who wish we could be closer to lend a helping hand or just let you know we care, you sharing something so private in this way makes a person feel closer, so I just wanna say thank you Kenny, for being the amazing man that you are, my heart goes out to you. Your Pops is watching over you now, and I know he is proud :-)
The hardest part for me was right after they folded the flag at the cemetery. I did fine until then. I guess seeing Dad's casket sitting over the grave did something to me because that's where I finally broke down. Take care and know that a lot of us are thinking of you and your family.
ReplyDeleteRemeber all the good times, it helps with the hurt.
The hard part is coming. Just please know you aren't walking this road alone. Every III who has lost a parent is walking with you, and those of us who haven't, we're there too. You don't have to reach out very far to find one of us, and you won't have to ask twice. Hell, you probably won't have to ask at all. III to III Always
ReplyDeletePops looked pretty good for being dead.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw mine under the same circumstance I blurted out to my mother
"Daddy looks good."
My dad was cremated. No casket. No viewing. Just a pretty wreath with his photo in the middle. Even tho I've been to the grave site, seen the marker & the flowers, it still doesn't seem real. I never got the chance to really say good-bye. 2 months now and it still hurts.
ReplyDeleteThis may sound horrible, Ken, but count your lucky stars that you had the chance to say good-bye. You'll be fine. I have my Jeffrey to lean on, as you have your Miss Lisa. Even if all she gets is grunts and shrugs....
~AbbyK
Sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure he was comforted knowing you would remain at his side. Good on you.
Semper Fi, RoyK
Very sorry, yeah the 1st view of coffin really breaks your heart. My Dad wore glasses all of his adult life and we noticed a few of the viewers were perplexed - he didn't look like Dad without them. We put his glasses on - he looked much more natural.
ReplyDeleteAnd the people who wondered why anyone would put glasses on a corpse could F themselves, I think we did right. RIP Dad.
I'm so sorry for your loss, Ken!
ReplyDeleteMay your father rest in peace and may the good Lord give you comfort and healing.