My Fathers Presence

My family moved into the house my mother still lives in 40 years ago. I was about 13 years old when we all moved in.

I have so many beautiful memories growing up in my mothers house. My father had a lot of beautiful chickens, quails and ducks and loved them dearly. He fussed over them every day but especially on weekends. Weekdays he got up early to feed and water them before heading off to work.

My father also loved his roses and had amazing rose bushes in the front garden. On weekends he would play Blonde and listen to her in the garden while gardening and looking after the ducks, quails and chickens.

When I was 19 years old, my father was diagnosed with throat cancer. He was treated, however the cancer spread fast. The cancer was in lungs and throat.

My mother was devastated. My father and mother were childhood sweethearts. They met when my mother was 16 years old and married each other when my mother was 18 years old. Neither of them wanted anyone else. They loved each other so much. It was beautiful to see that deep kind of love.

The doctors told us they didn't know how long my father had left to live. They said we could take my father home one last time for a visit but to keep him warm and in bed and return the next day. My father lost so much weight. He went from a healthy 13 stones to skin and bone and 6 stones in a matter of 5/6 months.

We all had a BBQ for my father the day he came home and made sure all his 9 children were there. He was so happy that day. Later that night his lungs collapsed and he died. My mother was with him when that happened.

I got married in my late 20s, had 2 children and divorced 20 years later. When that happened I moved back in with my mother while I was looking for my own place. I was at my mother's for about 5 years.

From time to time I would be watching TV or cooking in the kitchen or outside in the garden and from the corner of my eyes I would see my father. There was a warmth about his presence. He never scared me. This happened often at my mother's place. My sister also confirmed seeing my father and a warm presence.

I know my father is looking after my mother and I think because they had such a deep love for each other he will always stay in house.

It's not everyday that you find a love as strong as that, that goes beyond this life and into the next.