by Tammy D
Today, it's been 3 months. In the past I would've felt guilty for the following, but I know you understand much more than I ever do, and can appreciate my growth during this time. One losses, one gains. It is your gift, not my theft. I was reminded of this concept during the State of the Union address tonight. The mother of a fallen solider was embraced by an Iraqi woman who had lost her father, yet gained freedom.
You courageously battled cancer, staying 6x longer than the experts could predict. During this time, you taught me how to sacrifice and how to grieve the inevitable. I found empathy for the ones who had wronged me in the past; your forgiving nature served as my guide. I was able to soothe my mother as she faced her brother's death from cancer. For once I learned to care, not as perfectly as you, but still... A debt of gratitude, you held out for so long, held on until Daddy and I were able to accept loss. You also prepared our little family pack. An unfanthomable amount of wisdom you imparted.
As the depature date approached, we all knew. You left this corporeal state on Max's 3rd Anniversary. But you did not abandon us. Risking sounding foolish - it reminds me of the Star Trek where OdoIto's "adopted child" dies and yet its energy is transfered to Odo, and makes him closer to whole. In the past I interpreted this as being consumed by or utilized for the survivor's purpose. But it was your Parting Gift. Parker, with such Grace you always Gave.