The Editor,
As a paramedic, I have seen the living dead, the dying and death. And as a family member, I have felt the sorrow and agony of death. In the last several months, I have attended the funerals of a friend and a family member.
Now, I walk slowly with a heavy, aching heart to my father's grave. I place flowers in front of his plaque and I wonder if he would be proud of me. It has been more than 40 years since he passed away and I still remember him as a caring, compassionate, generous, loving man, and I wonder if I have passed those values to my children.
As I wait for an answer, one can feel and hear the soft whisper of the cool wind, the rustling leaves and the calling birds. It is so peaceful but yet so lonely. I am in a city of a million people. I look towards the city skyline, which is overshadowed by the ominous grey skies.
In my moment of contemplation, I am suddenly startled in my surroundings. The landscape is filled with brightly coloured flowers where other loved ones have been remembered. Maybe there are some souls looking down and one is my dad.
Waiting and waiting for an answer, my mind slowly drifts to another thought. We all want meaning in our lives and maybe this is part of our eternal destiny. My father has thrown his pebble in the pond of life and his ripples have touched my life and I have touched the lives of my children. Their lives will touch others.
Maybe that is my wish, that through all these ripples we will develop a more caring, generous and loving society. I hope I have done my part in continuing and developing this ripple effect.
Tell your father and your children you are proud of them, continuing this ripple effect.
Bob Lee, Port Coquitlam
