My Dad
Donald Andrew Chapman [December 15, 1925 – November 9, 1989] 25 years. A quarter of a century. So very long ago, but only a moment in the heart. November 9, 1989. For many it is the day the Berlin Wall came down. For some of us it is the day our dad died. I remember it was cold that morning and frost had settled on the car windows. Before he and my sister left for work my dad scrapped the frost from my car. Sadly it was back by the time I left but not as thick and I quietly thanked my dad in my mind; I never got to thank him in person. He and my sister were heading home from work early that Thursday afternoon to attend the visitation for Dad’s nephew and our cousin, Larry Carroll. Larry had died in his sleep on Monday. No warning, no time to fight. The bed covers not disturbed. Just gone. Lisa said she and Dad were talking when Dad said “Oh”, raised his arms a bit in the air and was gone. No warning, no time to fight. No time even for her to say goodbye. The clouds were blood re...