A weekend with my Dad

As most, or all of you know, my Dad passed away on February 17, 2007. We were by his side the night that he died, but he was in a coma, so it wasn't like we were really with him. But, one year ago today was the last day that I was really able to spend with him. I can't believe it has already been one year.

On January 5, 2007, the doctor told him that he only had a few months to live. Up until that day, we knew that he had a melanoma, and that things weren't looking especially good, but we didn't know how quickly things could happen. So when we found out that he only had a few months left, Melissa and I decided that we need to spend as much time as possible with him. So we made plans to fly up to Salt Lake for the weekend. He was in the hospital being treated for an infection, but he was himself for the most part. He felt bad that we couldn't be at the house, or doing other things, but I honestly didn't care. I was just happy to be there with him. I spent pretty much the entire weekend with him at the hospital, and I couldn't have been happier (considering the circumstances); we watched some golf, a BYU Basketball game and just talked a lot.

I didn't know that it would be the last time I would spend with him, but when I was leaving Sunday night, I remember giving him a big hug and telling him that I love him. As Mel and I were walking down the hallway, I mentioned, "what if that is the last time I see him alive?"

Considering he would pass away three weeks later, I am very happy that we decided to plan that trip right then, instead of waiting a few weeks. It turned out that he was really sick the next couple of weeks, and really wasn't quite himself. We were up there on the perfect weekend. I miss him a lot. Everyday. But I cherish every memory and every moment I spent with him.

Here is a picture I took of him that Sunday. It is Dad doing his favorite thing, playing with one of his grandkids (my nephew Court).