Leslie Forrest Griffin Jr.

My father and I were a lot a like in many ways-stubborn, funny (dark humor), compartmentalized our pain, stern on the outside but soft on the inside, helped the underdogs, generous to strangers(even when criticized), loved our Ancestors/our beginnings, had no regrets, loved life fully (and our critters)and started and restarted our relationship because it was worth saving. We cleared our grievances-I hollered and he quietly listened. We were loved or hated-and we were okay with that. Before his surgery, he charmed the young nurses so much that when his aorta tore unexpectedly-they called me crying. They worked on him for 30 minutes but I think he knew. He was ready. Everything was prepared for me on his desk-even the newly developed pictures of his new home in Montana with his mortgage neatly signed. New furniture, everything packed,and useless accts liquidated. His burial plot sold so he could be cremated and follow me to my forever home. All of his assets given to me (when he left the hospital without doctor’s orders to finalize.) His only son, Daniel, died 3 yrs ago…in his sleep. Another heart issue. Surgeon called with concerns about it being genetic. I’ll make sure my life continues to be worth living, because they’ll be watching. I drove to Virginia stopping at every location I promised to show him. Spoke out loud to him about all of my favorite parts. Packed his home and gave away what I could to friends and the Salvation Army. Stopped at the hospital to claim him, thanked the ICU nurses, his financial institutions, funeral home, and now I’m finally home-resting-before closing accts w/ death certificates and paying what he had remaining. Learning the process as I go. Laugh…then cry…then refuse to do both,so lose my breakfast-just like Dad. He loved his friends, me and my family, and especially-the underdogs. I get it, I finally get it. Love you Dad. I hope you found your peace. I hope you’ll miss me and morning conversations. I’ll still talk every morning to you until it’s my time to come Home. Love, Your Daughter