Tags
A moment in time, Dad, Diana Schwenk, family, fate, grateful, grief, Hump Day Chronicles, laughter, life, Life's like that, living in the moment, loss, memories, parents, Relationships, Stuff my parents used to say and do, thank you
“Your Uncle Arno is coming to Canada at the beginning of September, so I want you to come at the same time,” said Dad on the phone late in the summer of 2015.
“Well, actually Dad I was thinking of coming in October or maybe Christmas.”
“No. Arno and I discussed it. And we agree. You should come at the beginning of September.”
That’s odd, I thought to myself. Dad has never been one to assume I would be able to fly back east and visit. He’s more of a hey-it’s-been-a-while-when-do-you-think-you’ll-be-able-to-visit-again kinda guy. So I was somewhat taken aback at his directness.
Still, Dad never asked for much, and it seemed important to him, so I agreed to fly back east to visit them for a week and booked a flight for September 1.
It was still like summer in Calgary on that first day of September so I wore sandals and the red dress I’d bought in the Dominican when Mom and I had vacationed there a few years back and waited for the cab to take me to the airport.
Uncle Arno picked me up at the Pierre Elliot Trudeau airport in Montreal and after visiting with my brother and his family on the west island, we headed out to my parents place in East Hawkesbury.
Dad was lying on the couch when I got there. He’d been suffering with severe back pain for some time and the only relief he had was when he laid down.
I went into the living room to say hi. I talked about this and that and all the while he had this goofy smile on his face. “What?” I finally said.
“You’re wearing a dress. You hardly ever wear a dress. You look beautiful.”
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
Dad was taken by ambulance to the hospital on October 28th. I flew out and visited with him on November 6th. Before we left his room, we made plans to go see him again the next day, but he passed away that same night. Dad thank you for insisting that I attend the September family reunion!
related post: It was like a Schwenkonsortium!
Vicki Flaherty said:
very sweet story.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you vicki. ❤
Diana xo
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dodgysurfer said:
Lovely memory shared.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks so much Dodgysurfer! ❤
Diana xo
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earthriderjudyberman said:
Diana … Sometimes, what seems so random really isn’t. I’m glad you followed thru and went to your family reunion in September – and got to see him again in November.
Such a beautiful memory. And your Dad was right, That red dress does look beautiful on you. (You, no matter what you wear, are always beautiful – inside and out.) 😉
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dianasschwenk said:
Aww thanks so much Judy. ❤
Diana xo
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Minuscule Moments said:
Diana such a touching memory, so glad you listened to that inner voice and went to visit. How gorgeous that he noticed you in that beautiful red dress, a memory to keep close to your heart always. xxx
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Kath. You know when he was young man, a fortune teller told him that he’d be in an accident when he was 30 (which he was). She said if he lived through that he would live to 104. As silly as it seems, I guess there’s a part of all of us that thought he would. ❤
Diana xo
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Minuscule Moments said:
Awe xxx big hugs xxx
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roughwighting said:
What a father! And how in tune he must have been within himself…and with you. Lovely. But I’m in tears.
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dianasschwenk said:
I miss him so much. ❤
Diana xo
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roughwighting said:
I can FEEL that in your writing. ❤
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Jean said:
Happy memories. My father is on my blog presently in the kitchen, while I’m waiting in line for food. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Are you writing/reading about your dad, Jean? Happy memories bring a smile when they come. ❤
Diana xo
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Jean said:
I think of him often. And also of a sister who we lost.
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dianasschwenk said:
A big hug for you Jean!
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Inger said:
Such a beautiful post, thanks for sharing this precious memory with us.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Inger. ❤
Diana xo
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Cecilia said:
This is such a lovely post, Thanks for sharing and inspiring.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Cecilia. ❤
Diana xo
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Deb Weyrich-Cody said:
This is such a lovely memory, Diana and so good for both of you, in so many ways… (Many hugs, dear soul: )
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you so much Deb! ❤
Diana xo
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Louise Gallagher said:
Your father sounds like a kind and wise man. You carry the heart of his spirit well within you.
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dianasschwenk said:
What a generous and kind thing to say Louise – thank you! ❤
Diana xo
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Denise Hisey said:
What a very touching memory, Diana. The dress now has special meaning with both parents. Take care…
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dianasschwenk said:
That’s right! Thanks Denise. ❤
Diana xo
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jmgoyder said:
Oh this is beautiful Diana xxx
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Jules! ❤
Diana xo
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Wendy L. Macdonald said:
Beautiful, Diana. Just beautiful. So glad you got to see him when you did. ❤
Blessings & hugs ~ Wendy
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dianasschwenk said:
Me too. 🙂 Thanks Wendy. ❤
Diana xo
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elizabeth2560 said:
This made me cry. Tears of sadness. Tears of joy. Treasured memories.
{Hugs}
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dianasschwenk said:
Hugs back at ya – thank you Elizabeth. ❤
Diana xo
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Ian Munro @ leadingessentially.com said:
Such stories resonate with me Diana. I have a similar one of my last day with my Father so you’ve brought that back for me today. Thank you.
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dianasschwenk said:
I would love to hear your story one day Ian. ❤
Diana xo
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Kitt O'Malley said:
Those we have loved truly live on in our memories of them. Lovely memory.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Kitt and thank you for visiting here! ❤
Diana xo
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Healing Grief said:
A beautiful memory and dress Diana. A great reminder to us all to live in the moment. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks…and a reminder to listen to one’s ‘inner voice’! Don’t you think? ❤
Diana xo
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Healing Grief said:
Yes definitely! It pays to listen. 🙂
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Val Boyko said:
You gave him such a gift Diana…. as he gave to you. A moment to be cherished that will last forever ❤️
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dianasschwenk said:
(smiling) Thanks Val. ❤
Diana xo
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Graham in Hats said:
Some moments are forever. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes! Thanks Graham. ❤
Diana xo
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Chatter Master said:
Father knew best didn’t he Diana. What a beautiful moment between the two of you. The red dress moment.
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes. Thank you Colleen. ❤
Diana xo
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markbialczak said:
You knew you had to go that trip, Diana. You and your dad had the sixth sense to bring each other joy. That’s a relationship to savor forever. And he was right. You did look beautiful in that red dress. ❤ I love your remembrances for your dad, my dear friend.
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dianasschwenk said:
Aww, thanks Mark. ❤
Diana xo
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Bruce Thiesen said:
Oh my.
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dianasschwenk said:
(smiling) Thanks for visiting here Bruce! ❤
Diana xo
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George said:
What a beautiful lasting memory of your Dad on that trip. Maybe he suspected something or maybe he just wanted to see you with the family. Either way, it’s a great story and beautiful memory.
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dianasschwenk said:
Who knows eh, George? ❤
Diana xo
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susielindau said:
That gave me shivers!
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dianasschwenk said:
(smiling) Hind sight is very revealing. ❤
Diana xo
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Ann Koplow said:
Beautiful dress, people, and story, Diana. You touch many red hearts today. ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
(smiling) Thanks Ann! ❤
Diana xo
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cyclingrandma said:
What a lovely memory! I’m sure you and your red dress brightened his day.
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dianasschwenk said:
I hope so, wait. By the look on his face, I know so Lisa! ❤
Diana xo
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vanbytheriver said:
That was no coincidence that he suggested your visit, Diana. What a wonderful gesture on his part, and so glad for you that you paid attention. ❤️ Your red dress is beautiful, but the glow on your face…even more so. It reflects that inner beauty that we have all come to know. Thanks for sharing this special moment. xox
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dianasschwenk said:
Oh my Van, thank you for your kind comment. ❤
Diana xo
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Nurse Kelly said:
Such a touching recollection, Diana. I think it’s great that you can write about him here to help you heal. Sending a big hug xo
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Kelly!
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Nurse Kelly said:
Sure, Diana! 🙂
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Jennifer Kelland Perry said:
You must have been a vision of beauty for your dad in that dress, Diana. ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
I was always daddy’s girl Jennifer. ❤
Diana xo
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