The Last Time I Saw My Father

Christmas 2002 was the last time i saw my father.
I could not afford to come home for Christmas that year, so my mom, knowing my dad would not be around for another Christmas, paid for my ticket home. My mom and dad had been divorced for many years, so this generous gift from my mom was definitely in the spirit of the season! We had found out about a month earlier, that dad could no longer go thru any more chemo treatments or surgeries....the best the doctors could do at this time was "make him comfortable".
On Christmas evening, as we gathered together at Denise's house, i stepped outside for a breath of fresh air. We all knew this would be our last Christmas together...and though words were never expressed...you could see it in our faces. The happy "front" we had displayed all week was wearing on me, and i needed a moment of solitude. I walked out onto the driveway to admire the beautiful evening when i discovered my dad standing out there doing the same thing. We looked at each other, and as all Westropes do, we proceeded to joke and make light of the situation that i believe we were both feeling. Siting in Denises driveway was a giant, uber 80's RV, very similar to the one in the movie Stripes....in fact thats what they called it.....the urban assault vehicle :)
My dad quoted the movie Christmas Vacation......"it looks so nice parked in my driveway"...to which i responded....."but dont you go falling in love with it Clark, cause we're takin it with us when we leave here next month"!
He smiled at me and we stood together quietly for a while staring up at the sky and looking at the stars. No more words were exchanged...and they werent needed....our love for each other, and this moment (which we knew would be one of our last), was expressed in our eyes. After a while, we both headed back inside to join the festivities.
When i hugged him goodbye, for the last time, and watched him drive away, i was sad but no longer troubled, for all that needed to be said was already spoken. My father died February 8th, 2003.
Every Christmas, i think of that brief, but wonderful moment, spent on Denises driveway...and when the stars are out, i step outside for a quiet moment of reflection and think of my father.
I miss you dad!
Love Lisa