WRITING TO THE DEAD - BIG RED

 Why write to the dead? It’s too late. You missed it.

Saying “Thank You. I love you. “ is too late.

 I have a piece old wood clapboard hanging on the wall near the back door of my parents-in-law’s house. It says”

“RED! Hot coffee + hot stove 

Come up when you get up! 

Love – Tom.”

Red was my father in law and he was way better than my “real” father. I loved him dearly and worshiped him and everything about him. When he got dementia // alzheimizer’s disease I lost him. I tried to “snap him out of it” by saying things like “You know Red, you remember, right?”

It didn’t work. Now he is dead. As a decorated US Marine, VA Togus Hospice took him in and gave him a respectful, peaceful passing. I thank God I was there to hear his last, rattled, raspy breath.

Now, many years later, I am fortunate to go into his house in Maine, right next to ours, and say:

“RED! Where are you? Coffee is ready and the wood stove is hot. Come up when you get up!”

But, all is quiet. Red is gone. Now I am writing to him any way.

Love,

Tom