On the eve of Thanksgiving, I have been incessantly annoying my confidant with a couple of requests.
As you know, the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s people have a tendency to reminisce, to become reflective, to make resolutions, and/or to become melancholy. Lord knows that I had my share of the holiday blues during this time, too.
Being on the brink of watching my daughter cross-over from twelve to 13 years of age has me thinking, wondering, and soul-searching a lot about how much my dad must sorely miss talking to and interacting with his youngest daughter.
If you have been an ardent reader of my weekly column, then you are aware that I have frequently chronicled my family’s nonsensical drama. A husband and wife feud which occurred nearly 60 years ago has ignited into World War III. No amount of prayers, interventions, or intercessions has melted the hatred that permeates between my parents and siblings.
No amount of missed holiday celebrations, missed birthdays, missed Mother’s Days, missed Father’s Days, or even the arson death of my sister in which my mother prevented my dad and I from attending her funeral has melted decades of hellish behavior, hellish attitudes, or hellish conduct!
Can’t we all just get along?
So the standard-bearer of reconciliation aka Andrea has been a menace by constantly asking and asking and asking my confidant, God, to help “erase the past” or at least soften the tensions so that the few days that’s left of my dad’s life could be ones of familial contentment.
I’m still waiting!
Admittedly, my dad has been a “jackass” as he has not fulfilled his role as provider-in-chief resulting in his three daughters suffering tremendously. Years of abandonment have hardened hearts and instead of endearing love, sadly, a powder keg of poisonous animosity exists.
Yes, the collateral damage has been deep and steep!
As my dad languishes with Stage 4 cancer, my prayer is that during this Thanksgiving holiday, a host of angels cradles him with lots of love.
And, for God to chisel a few stony hearts!
