My father, on his deathbed, unknown to him, gave me a powerful gift.

[Prairie_Seagull]

My father loved this country but never voted.
The main reason (there were a couple others) he stated as being. "What does one vote count". We argued all my adult life about this and it was the cause of some pretty significant rifts between us.

In hospice, on his deathbed and with tears welling up, he apologized to me for the state of things in our country and that I was right about voting. This struck me to the core like other things that day. Wiping my own tears away all I could think to say was " the state of things is/was not his fault". This was a bittersweet moment for us both.

Could tsf understand how simple and monumental this was for 2 guys just waiting, one trying to make what he can right in his world.

My dad was a flawed man but he was my first and in the end, my last hero.

I have only spoken this to 2 people and it made me weep both times. Now three.

I hope this will be huge season for activism. Call me for a march, I am there. Our country needs us.

Lets bring the sunlight.

[malaise]

1. Get thee to the greatest page

[Emile]

2. K & R

[blm]

3. So simple, so needed.

[democrank]

4. Thank you for this

Sunlight indeed

[MLAA]

5. Thank you for sharing this bittersweet moment.

[Rhiannon12866]

6. Beautifully said and kudos to your Dad.

[niyad]

7. KNR

[patphil]

8. It's good to have closure with your Dad before he passed.

Funny how each of us only has 1 vote, like pixels in an image, but all those pixels add up to a complete picture.
As they say, "the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts".
Individuals are parts, but the whole, all of us together, makes the picture.

[FemDemERA]

22. Beautifully said

I could just see the mosaic of voters making up one large picture of the United States!

[cate94]

9. K & R

[LuvLoogie]

10. Aye

[StarryNite]

11. Thank you for sharing.

Let's shine the light in every dark corner and expose the roaches.

[calimary]

12. "Let's bring the sunlight." What a beautiful way to put it!

Seems to me that’s the best way to look at it, and the most powerful contribution any of us can make.

“Let’s bring the sunlight.” Many of us generating that kind of vibe together can’t hurt. And who knows? It might even make a difference - even if it’s a small one.

Every little bit…

[Hope22]

13. So very touching!

I m glad he talked to you about it. It’s never easy to be wrong and admit it. In many ways one vote seems insignificant yet it is still so powerful. My heart goes out to you for the loss of your father. Love and hugs to you! 💗💗🙏🏼💐

[dawg]

14. Your Dad could have voted a million times. It wouldn't have amounted to anything ...

even close to what he accomplished by raising a son like you!

[nevergiveup]

15. One of if not the best post of the year.

Thank you so much for sharing.

[brer cat]

16. K&R

[TygrBright]

17. Thank you for sharing this. We must NEVER give up. n/t

[highplainsdem]

18. Tears in my eyes after reading this. Thank you, Prairie_Seagull, for such an important, touching message.

[KPN]

19. Kicked!

Thanks for sharing ... so simply poignant and inspirational. "Lets bring the sunlight"!

[FemDemERA]

20. Thank you for sharing

Your story. It is often the small, tender and bittersweet moments that we later look back on to fill our hearts with love when we most need it. Memories are such a mix of love, laughter and (even years later), a few tears…

[Wild blueberry]

21. Your dad and you have given us a powerful gift

Thank you.
May your father rest in peace and sunlight. May his memory be a blessing.

[Prairie_Seagull]

23. I am standing a bit taller just now.

Thank you all.

[Bluethroughu]

24. Your dad may have been your hero, and you were his.

I took a deep inhale and exhale after reading your changing of the guard story. It was beautiful ending.

Thanks for sharing.

[et tu]

25. tender cherished moments

are the best parts of life. cheers to you and your dad~

[NoMoreRepugs]

26. Over coffee this am was thinking too bad that there aren't millions of WW2

Vets still with us to help to stand up to Phooties little bitch trumpy.

[ancianita]

27. Thank you for sharing this. You bless your father and

God blesses you both. Weeping opens the heart. Always keep your heart open to the light.
Yes, our country needs us more than ever.

[spike jones]

28. Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little. Edmund Burke

[wendyb-NC]

29. Beautiful, powerful account

Amen, "Lets bring the sunlight".

[cstanleytech]

30. It's not just about voting it's about voting responsibly.

[Permanut]

31. Wonderful tribute to your Dad

Thanks for sharing this.

[sarchasm]

32. Beautiful. Thank you.

[AmBlue]

33. The sincere apology of a father

...can move mountains. One given in his last days to put things right is indeed a rare and treasured moment. One you will always remember.

May he rest with an easy heart. So very sorry for your loss.

[Chicagogrl1]

34. Sending you very big hugs

[yobrault1]

35. May your memories of him

bring only blessings to your life. So sorry for your loss. Tears are proof you loved, wear them with pride.