perfect timing

My mom had been worried that my dad might die on or before Jason and Amanda’s wedding.  No one else had been too concerned as life, as well as its end, is not in our hands.  But my dad complied. 

My mom did not want my dad to leave this world in his bed at the rehab center where he’d been since August.  Again, he complied and my mom brought my dad back to his beloved home on the Cape a couple of days after the wedding.

Alexander turns 21 on November 11.  I was hoping my dad’s death and my son’s birthday would not coincide.  Again, my dad complied and left this world on November 7.

I had vacillated for the past two months about whether or not I should go up to Cornell to visit Alexander on this birthday.  I had wanted to but he wasn’t overly thrilled…exams, friends, and a few other reasons dimmed his enthusiasm for seeing me.  But again, my dad complied.  I will be with my son when he turns 21, as he is returning from school tonight.

My good friend M is in town.  We have a spectacular lunch at Jean-Georges this afternoon.  We each get a drink, raise our glasses, and toast my father.

Tomorrow I go up to the Cape.  The funeral will be on Sunday.  My family is truly humbled by the number of people who have contacted us with kind words, prayers, and wonderful anecdotes.

I am actually looking forward to the next few days with my family.  I spoke to my mom a few minutes ago.  She too is ready to celebrate the life of my father with the people she loves most. 

Autumn is a beautiful season.  My father’s timing was impeccable.