by Ganelle Davis

Created on: August 19, 2011

My father and I shared a tumultuous relationship. Our relationship was often filled with quarreling, angry moments and strife. Yet, if  I had just one more day, I would use the wisdom and knowledge that I have acquired,as of today,to tell him that I forgive him and understand his plight. There were days, the father that I longed for showed up with a warm embrace and sober. Sadly enough, those days were few and far between. If  I had just one more day with my dad,it would have made a world of a difference to me. 

 Interestingly enough,just the other day my daughter asked about her grandfather. I smiled and said,"My father never met a stranger and he befriended anyone. My daughter made me aware,that I have the very same personality. Maybe,in that one extra day,  I might see that we had something in common.

In reflection,you can never go back in time. So the days you have, you had better make the best of them. The relationship,I had with my dad taught me that very important life lesson. Consider, another day is another chance to tell someone that you love them and appreciate them.. It's safe to say,"times flies whether or not you are having fun".The difficult days make the good days seem extra special. If, I had one more day, it would be an extra special day.

My father refused to stop drinking. The alcoholism contributed to his rapid decline in health. I was much too young and angry to understand,diabetes, and leukemia were diseases he could not help,just like his alcoholism. The frustration of declining health can very well exasperate the disease of alcoholism,add to that a widower with three small children. My heart is filled with compassion for my dad, today.

What a difference a day makes. One day, I was furious with my dad and the very next day, I received the call he had cardiac arrest. Each day, a commitment should be made to forgive someone who might have hurt you in some way. This way, you won't regret that the days have run out. It is better to live with cherished days in your memory, because you would have said all that needed to be said.

Regretfully, we don't know when time will run out. If we knew the exact time or day,would we make the necessary changes? Alas, only time will tell.

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