My stepfather, who had a stroke and went blind last year, called me tonight. I answered the phone not thinking anything out of the ordinary. My mother said, very shakily and sad, “Bob wants to talk to you, to say goodbye.”

I was a bit stunned.

We then had about a fifteen minute or so conversation saying goodbye to each other. It was the hardest thing I think I have ever done in my life. He has always been a bit of a gruff person, but also one of the most honestly kind and wonderful people I have ever known. I simply told him how thankful I was to have known him, thanked him for all of his wisdom and sharing while I was living with him, and told him that he has always been a great man that I have looked up to.

Have any of you ever had to go through this? How did you handle it. I am still a bit shocked.

Topics: life, relationships, family, death, gratitude, closure, last words