At one point in a person’s life, you will receive that dreaded phone call….
* About a loved one who is no longer breathing – whose heart has stopped beating.
* About the loved one that you cannot pick up the phone and call.
* About the loved one that you can no longer receive advice from regarding life, men, vehicle repairs, your mother (especially when she is acting irrationally).
* About the loved one who worked two, three jobs at time to support his growing family.
* About the loved one that shared the joys of your accomplishments.
* About the loved one that attended every graduation ceremony and asked to keep your tassel (he never graduated from school).
* About the loved one that told anyone who would listen that his daughter is a principal and how proud he was of her.
* About the loved one who drove hours to visit with his kids, his grandkids.
* About the loved one whose laughter could be heard a mile away.
* About the loved one who told the best stories.
* About the loved one who wished he was a cowboy and was often seen his cowboy apparel.
* About the loved one who kept the TV on WGN Channel 9 all summer long for every baseball game.
* About the loved one who kept his Sundays open to have breakfast with his kids (after the divorce).
* About the loved one who did not care how many times you fell but was there to pick you and told you to try again.
* About the loved one who loved unconditionally.
Within this circle of life, people come and people go but their memories live on forever. As you lose a loved one, a dear one, an unforgotten one, remember that person always lives with you in spirit, within your heart.
I dedicate this piece to the man who unexpectedly left this world without my goodbye, without my THANK YOU.
I dedicate this piece to my cowboy, my DAD.
Thank you Dad, for the memories, but more importantly for your love.
Chocolate Delight 
What a beautiful tribute to your dad! May his memories continue to bring joy in your life!
This is a beautiful tribute to him and such a great way to capture those things you treasured about him.
So sorry you had to receive that dreaded phone call. What a warm and tender tribute. I am sorry for your loss.
What a beautiful, and emotional, piece. Your dad sounds like he was an amazing man…you are so lucky to have so many wonderful memories to cherish!
Oh, Colandra, I have tears in my eyes reading this. Your dad sounds like an amazing man. That bit about your tassel just took my breath away. This is beautiful. Really beautiful.
What a nice tribute to your Dad. Many great memories and a great man!
“As you lose a loved one, a dear one, an unforgotten one” this line is sticking with me. An unforgotten one. I have to see through the tears in my eyes- a beautifully heartbreaking slice.
There are some very special details in this piece that make your father so vivid in the mind of the reader. I especially liked the part about the tassel and telling everyone his daughter is a principal. I am sorry for your loss.
Your dad’s spirit will live within you for years to come. You never forget.
What an amazing piece!!
“Within this circle of life, people come and people go but their memories live on forever.”
Beautiful tribute to your father.
Colandra, this brought tears to my eyes. What a beautifully written tribute to your Dad…and I’m sure he’s so proud of you once again!
So beautiful. You do him such honor. Fathers must be on the mind today. I sliced about mine as well. You have stirred up some deep emotions. Thank you for sharing.
Your dad is so proud of you! This was a beautiful tribute to your amazing Dad!
What a touching way to remember how special your time with your dad was…such great memories to hold onto…just beautiful:)
This is an AMAZING piece and my favorite of all your posts! So much sentiment, so many different emotions, and so many memories all in one piece. I feel like I know him just from reading the post. I love the part when you talk about how proud he was of you and told everyone you were the principal. You sure made him feel like he “done good.” Enjoyed every word!!!