Father’s Day is uniquely special this year as I remember the last time my dad and I hugged and talked.
It was in his hospital room;
his desire to get out of bed just to stand for a moment
but able to get up and stand only with my help,
our arms wrapped around each other for support,
but which turned quickly into a loving embrace
of father and son for the last time.
He began to cry, then me;
tears of love, joy and sadness all intertwined;
we both knew his health was declining.
After a few minutes, dad’s legs began to quiver;
he was very weak, so I sat him back down on his bed,
then helped him lie down and get comfortable,
gave him some Kleenex – I took some, too –
pulled the sheet and blankets up to keep him warm,
then held his right hand as we spoke some more.
Dad’s eyes were growing heavy,
so I said, “Good night, pop – see you tomorrow – love you.”
Looking at me, he said, “Okay, Mikey – thank you – love you.”
Those were the last words dad would ever say to me –
words I will forever remember and cherish in my heart.
The next day dad was unresponsive; he would remain that way.
Death was on the horizon, so we moved dad into hospice care.
Our family took turns staying with dad, talking to him;
I administered the last rites again.
Days passed; every minute was precious.
Then came that last evening; we all gathered in his room,
mom kissing dad’s forehead and holding his hand,
occasional tears in her eyes knowing dad’s time was near,
rosary in his hand, brown scapular around his neck,
when dad breathed his last at 6:49 p.m.,
his loving wife of 64 years at his side,
the “love of his life” he always said,
children and grandchildren surrounding him,
a room filled with love and prayer
as dad went into the loving arms of
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
to embrace dad for all eternity.
Thank you, God, for the gift of our dad,
who taught us so much about life and living,
about living a life rooted in the Catholic faith,
and, most important, how to love, care and help one another
in faithful witness to Your Son, Jesus Christ.
As I remember my father today – “pop” – I also thank you, God, for that one last hug, that one last “love you” from my dad.
Father Michael J. Lumpe is a priest of the Diocese of Columbus. His father, J. Richard Lumpe, died on Jan. 22, 2022, following a battle with cancer.