Hello friend
Our family is saying a sad goodbye
Our father, Paul Sullivan, passed away last week
His 5 children revere him more than words convey
We were all by his side through his final days
—
After more than 50 years talking to each other most days
And sharing our writing with each other for the last 20 years
I sat by my father’s bed for our final conversation
One more evening of planning, remembering, crying, being together
—
We laughed our cadence into the dark
Then he closed his eyes and said, “I’m tired. Let’s write.”
His hands could no longer
So we listened to silence, and I typed…
—
Each moment a blank page
Now this one speaks anew
Black on white again
Dark colors to hues
Those passed flow through my father’s closed eyes
His children, his family, his friend’s wild lives
Through theirs, and theirs, to grand new worlds
He soars, he soars — eternal pearls
Paul gave it all to share our plight
Now he returns to light
Goodbye my father
We love you
Goodnight
—
I slowly read our draft aloud
He beamed and beamed
Then bowed and awed
His final reply:
“My father, my son — I love God.”
Difficult Days Bring Us Home is a Presence Shift dedicated to my father.
I'm sorry Sean. Your final writing together was beautiful. Sending lots of love and prayers to you and your family
Sean - Your father was a gift to the world! I miss him from afar. Your relationship with him sounds blessed and you are a wonderful reflection of his legacy. Thanks for sharing your precious last moments with him with the rest of us! Jimmy Parker