My father died this morning.
The cancer consumed him. There was nothing left to do.
He drifted into sleep and didn't come back.
He was 94, and although he never played cricket he had, as they say, a good innings.
I am so glad I got to see him one more time last Saturday.
Although he was struggling to stay awake he did recognise us and we talked a little about the old times.
Now there are arrangements to be made with my two elder sisters.
I can't remember much of what happened when my mum died - that was 37 years ago.
This will be different.
Although I am all grown up and I have a lovely wife and three children, losing one's second parent is a very hard and very harsh point in life.
Both the people who raised you and guided you and got you out of fixes are gone.
It's all on me now.
One step further along the road. One step nearer the end.
Make every single second count.
Make every thing you do right.
I am going to grow those trees. All 100,000 of them.
And the first 94 of them will be for you Dad.
Goodbye Dad. And thank you for everything.
[ Spitfire image by ho7dog on pixabay.com // oak tree image by pennsif ]