by William Dotani
Member since:
October 27, 2006

If Only 100 word story week NC

July 31, 2008 06:09 AM EDT
views: 82 | rating: 9.6/10 (24 votes) | comments: 42

If only crosses my mind: My mom and dad had spent a month visiting us. I had to work and drove to the airport on my lunch break to say goodbye. My wife and kids were in the lobby with my parents. I can't remember what we talked about. I could only stay 30 minutes. I remember hugging my dad goodbye, but what I said to him I don't recall. Two weeks later my mom called to tell me my dad had passed away. If only I had 5 more minutes with my dad: What would I say? I don't know.

link to this page
Bookmark this post:
Facebook
Twitter
Delicious
Buzz
More

Comments: 42

William Dotani Jul 31, 2008, 6:14am EDT
I took no pain pills yesterday or last night. Although I'm very tired, I can't sleep. That's why I wrote this.
penni d. Jul 31, 2008, 6:22am EDT
i think it was good to have that month..today would be my mom's birthday, but she's gone.
i went to visit her and we had a nice weekend, then 6 days later..poof...at least we HAD that time...:)
penni d. Jul 31, 2008, 6:22am EDT
sleepless here too, william...should we start a club?
Marianne M. Jul 31, 2008, 7:43am EDT
I think life is a series of "if only's." Your drabble is very sad, William.

Sorry you're having a sleepless white night ... or the sexier sounding French version, Nuit Blanche. Hope you get some rest today.
Apryl Just Apryl Jul 31, 2008, 9:46am EDT
this one makes you think, like Judi said we all have "if only's". I hope you have a pain free day.
Lisa Frost Jul 31, 2008, 10:13am EDT
I know this feeling. Nobody would tell me how ill my father really was, because of a problem pregnancy. He was more worried about me then himself. Problem was, they didn't get to tell me gently either, they had to come to my hospital room the morning after my baby girl was born to tell me my dad had died. If only.....
Lisa Frost Jul 31, 2008, 10:14am EDT
I pray you find rest and a lack of pain instead of sleep today. You have blessed so many with your writing, may God bless you in turn with many more years of joy.
Wanda H. Jul 31, 2008, 10:53am EDT
But you did have that time William. Try to find some relaxation, a soothing bath sounds good, with some calming scents and nice warm sheets. I hope you find some peace today.
Marge H. Jul 31, 2008, 10:58am EDT
You would probably tell him you love him and you would hug him again. All of which, I am sure you did at the airport.

Sending you hugs and love, and happy pain free wishes.
Heather ~of the Whippets~ M. Jul 31, 2008, 11:15am EDT
Good drabble, William.

Take care of yourself. Get some rest and maybe a nice cup of tea.
Alison H. Jul 31, 2008, 12:54pm EDT
Good drabble. It sounds like you did have "resolution" with your dad at the airport. The scene brings to mind many that I've had with my parents. I really liked the old days of being able to wait with them at the gate instead of having to go through security and then sit and read and think about them.
Vicky Duggins Jul 31, 2008, 1:14pm EDT
I often feel the same things. Very good drabble.
Deloris Wright Jul 31, 2008, 2:15pm EDT
we all have the "if only" in our lives. If your Dad was like you he would have said some thing to make you laugh or you would have said some thing to make him laugh. He knew you loved him and that is what is important.
lynn a. Jul 31, 2008, 2:27pm EDT
William, I have a case of the "if onlys" with my father, who is also deceased. When it gets too much for me to handle, I remind myself he is in heaven and he knows how much he is loved and he is happy, then it makes it better, at least for me. Once they get to Heaven they don't have the worries and the "if onlys" that we are plagued with.
Bhawana 'Gather Proud Mom' Jul 31, 2008, 2:30pm EDT
good drabble, William.
Kimberly Ripley Jul 31, 2008, 2:48pm EDT
Heartbreaking.
Donald M. Jul 31, 2008, 5:45pm EDT
Good drabble William. I sat 20 days in a row at the hospital with my Dad. Told him how much I loved him everyday in everyway I could. I have no regrets about what I would have said. Only upset that my Mom called and told me not to come to the hospital yet, the next morning. she didnt tell me he was dead. Just sent someone to get me. Had she called and said he had taken a turn for the worse, I would have been there to say I love you one last time. I guess my regreat was not telling Momma later what I thought about the situation.
Alison Pearce Jul 31, 2008, 6:58pm EDT
Touching drabble William
How sad, Bill!
Ruthe M. Jul 31, 2008, 8:47pm EDT
Very moving, William. Reminds me of my father.

I pray your feeling stronger each day.
elizabeth e. Jul 31, 2008, 9:03pm EDT
I have learned over a lifetime you can't say "what if" or it will eat you alive. We live, we make decisions, some good and some bad, we learn from experience and hopefully the next time something comes around, we make better decisions. If we dwell on the what ifs too much, we forget to live in the "right now".
Elsie Duggan Jul 31, 2008, 11:13pm EDT
I can't dwell on all the if only's in my life, if I did I would be nuts, I am sorry you didn't have more time to spend with your Dad but I am sure he knew you loved him and how bad you feel about that time right now. If only I didn't let my daughter drive to get me that awful day 8 years ago now, how many times do I say that to myself, if only William.... great drabble.
Sheila Deeth Jul 31, 2008, 11:55pm EDT
Very touching drabble, true of so many relationships.
Tanya P. Aug 1, 2008, 1:35am EDT
Sometimes it isn't words that will make the most impact. A touch, a hug, an eye connection held that spills depths of soul knowledge and love into the other. If only....
Bethany C. Aug 1, 2008, 2:00am EDT
Ah, but you did drive to tell him goodbye. Some people might have decided to stay at work that day.
Donna Hammett-Tooker Aug 1, 2008, 4:45am EDT
My dad died on the 4th of July and we were not really getting along at that time. He and my mom came down to see me on the Sunday night before the 4th to show me the car he had bought my older baby brother for his 18th birthday. I was in grad school and had the week off but I declined going home to do some things for the next week's studies. I opened the door on that Wednesday afternoon to see my brother and our pastor and my only question was, "Daddy's dead?" If only I had gone home for the beginning of the week, I might not have had to spend the weekend attending viewings and his funeral - who knows?
kokomo *. Aug 1, 2008, 6:21am EDT
Good post, William. I don't know what I would say to my dad either. I don't know if I would say I am sorry for all the things I did to make him upset, or tell him I forgive him, or just tell him I love him. Somehow, I think he knows, though. Your dad probably does too.
Kay M. Aug 1, 2008, 1:15pm EDT
Sad. We all have so many "if onlys" to deal with.
Bhawana 'Gather Proud Mom' Aug 1, 2008, 2:54pm EDT
Hi , revisited and loved this again.
Bhawana 'Gather Proud Mom' Aug 1, 2008, 2:58pm EDT
Greetings, William

Hope you're feeling good....Just checking whether you have posted anything new on 1st August...
Marie J. R. Aug 1, 2008, 5:55pm EDT
This made me think of my Dad,,, he had been ill for a long time and when I got to see him he couldn't speak except with his eyes and I could tell his struggle went deep,,, I couldn't help him,,, when he passed,,, I wasn't there,,, but, I remember him when I was younger and,, thats good,,,

God has Blessed you and your family my dear friend,,,
Jan S. Aug 1, 2008, 6:57pm EDT
This is very touching and a good reminder. My parents are in their 80's and becoming more vulnerable. I make every effort to see them as often as possible. Last night, we talked on the phone and my dad said "Good night, Sweetheart." My heart smiled along with my face. Such sweet words. So wonderful to be loved.
Elsie Duggan Aug 2, 2008, 2:27am EDT
Hi William, came by to see if you had posted anything else and to say my usual Goodnight William, take good care of yourself, love you, Elsie (and thanks for welcoming Pamela)
Bob C. Aug 2, 2008, 2:40am EDT
Very touching William, sad how we all have to ask those "if only's" again and again.
Cristina S. Aug 2, 2008, 1:05pm EDT
Bill, your Dad knows you love him - 5 more minutes and another hug would be lovely, but your love would still be the same...
Debra C. Aug 2, 2008, 5:00pm EDT
You say, "if only ...", but I notice there is no regret for a specific word spoken. Yes, 5 minutes more would be nice, but how wonderful that it would not need to be spent in apologies.
Elsie Duggan Aug 3, 2008, 2:22am EDT
Thanks for the suggestion, is , is now must, much better, goodnight William, thank you
William Dotani Aug 3, 2008, 2:27am EDT
Just think if Clinton had of said is is must instead of saying is is is.
Wilma M. Aug 4, 2008, 12:01am EDT
As someone else said, you DID take the time and go to the airport.

I try not to even think of the "if only's" as they break my heart.
William Dotani Aug 4, 2008, 9:50am EDT
A lot of rather sad comments.
April H. Aug 10, 2008, 3:28am EDT
I know exactly how you feel
Kelly M. Nov 16, 2008, 11:47pm EST
thanks for posting to one for me one for you!

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Make New Friends | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Health | Moms | Money | News | Politics | Spirituality | Sports | Travel | Writing
Version 16865, "Oz"; Copyright © 2009 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.