My dad passed away last Thursday. Diagnosed with cancer around Christmas, he put up an admirable fight. He was 83. A few months before his 80th birthday, his twin brother, Jack, passed away suddenly. After that I was on high alert and knew our time together was precious. Of course once he was diagnosed I knew our time was even more precious. I think we became closer in his last months – like when I was young and I was his pal.

An hour or so after my dad’s death, my cousin came over to my parents’ and told me, “Look for the signs.” She told me a story about her dad, my uncle Tommy, and a rainbow she once saw. Shortly after her story it began pouring, then the most complete and beautiful rainbow appeared. The rainbow was perfectly placed for us to see from my parents’ terrace. My mouth dropped open. A few days later someone on facebook commented, “The rainbow means he arrived safely.” 🙂

I tell my kids that I cry because I was lucky enough to have such a great dad. Apparently others thought he was great too – the line at the wake went out the doors of the funeral home and down the block! Dad wouldn’t have believed it. The outpouring of love from family and friends has been amazing and has made this sad time easier for all of us.