How do you say goodbye?

How do you say goodbye to your Dad, the man who has been there your entire life? Well, I'll tell you, cause I just did it. You go to him, to the shell of a body that was once so strong and capable of ANYTHING. You go to the man who taught you how to make a fire in the fireplace, to the man who probably got whiplash when he taught you how to drive a stick shift, to the man who told you that marriage isn't give & take 50/50, because if each partner gives gives 100 then no one has to take. And you rub his hands & his head & his face, and you tell him that if he needs to go, then it's okay to go. That my brother & I will be there to take care of my mother, and my kids. And you tell him that he's the greatest man I've ever known, & that you'll miss him & love him forever. But we'll be okay, & we'll get through. That he doesn't have to hold on any more.

And you put moisturizer on his lips & tell him that it's okay that's he's not eating or drinking any more. That you'll make sure he's warm & has his socks on. That he doesn't have to try to be there for us. That you're there for him, & that's all that matters.

And then you'll climb into the bed with him & hold him. You'll feel him respond & try to hold you too. And you'll see him cry, even though there are no tears. He's dehydrated, but you know what crying looks like. And you tell him that it's okay, because all you want is for him to be at peace.

That's what you do.