My Dad

33 years ago today was the day my dad told my unsuspecting mom that, "he might be home a little late for dinner". He never came back.  My dad disappeared leaving his wife and his four kids. Just like that. He did not die.  He made the choice to leave.  I was 12 and in middle school when my dad just disappeared.  That day was also the day I lost my entire paternal side of my family, the ones I am told I resemble in looks and in character traits, never hearing from my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins until just very recently.  Without those family relationships and connections a large chunk of my heritage vanished that day as well.  My dad did reappear on and off over the years, but only ever on his terms.  Throughout the years my dad lived the way he wanted too without any regard for us.  It is ironic that last night I got a call from my cousin she shared with me she had been searching the internet and found my dad’s obituary.  Three weeks later after his death I learn from an internet search he died in Florida on December 16^th.  His obituary does not mention me, his three sons, or his ten grandchildren.  I am not surprised. Many years ago I had to accept that my dad and all of these huge parts of me were gone.