In memory of my Dad.
 
I didn't know you long enough
I didn't learn enough from you
I miss you more today than I thought I would
I wish you were here to meet your amazing grandchildren
There is a lot I wish I had said when I had the chance
Thank you for the short time we had together.
Love your son
 
My Dad passed away October 19, 2008 under mysterious circumstances.  Long story short, he went to the bar and had 2 pints of beer over the course of 45 minutes.  He lived 3 blocks from the pub so he walked back home.  The police and paramedics are called about 30 minutes later because he is laying on the sidewalk about 100 feet from his house.  The paramedics and police smell alcohol on his breath and he has slurred speech, so he ends up in the drunk tank.....face down on the floor from 10PM until 6AM the next morning.
 
I don't get a call from anyone until about 2PM the next day...it's the hospital telling me my Dad is on life support so I better get down there quick.  I walk into the trauma ward to find my Dad hooked up to every machine imaginable.....that's when the doctor tells me he is completely brain dead and that there is absolutely no hope for recovery.  This was a result of a massive Blunt Force Cranio-Cerebral Trauma I am told.  What the police had thought was vomit my Dad was laying face down all night in was in fact cerebrospinal fluid.
 
The police and paramedics investigate themselves....no wrong doing or negligence found.  There is a Coroners Inquest....of which I find out the results via a Google search prior to ever being notified.
 
The inquest found my Dad had a blood alcohol level 8 times the legal limit.....however he had only two pints of beer all day.  It was ruled an accidental death.
 
Everyone failed my Dad in this instance.  He wasn't perfect....we were estranged most of my life.  I didn't meet him until I was 12.  I enjoyed the time I was able to spend with him, but there were certain factors that kept us apart......and I'm afraid were involved in his demise.  Now it's my turn to speak for my Dad since nobody else will.  He is gone, but not forgotten.  This for sure isn't the proper medium for this, but I had to put it into words somewhere.  It's now time for me to get justice for my Dad.
 
To all of you who have Dad's that are in your lives please cherish the moments you have....because I cannot tell you how badly I wish I had just a couple more minutes with mine, especially on a day like today.
 
Happy Father's Day.

Sorry for your loss. I like the poem.

Sorry my friend!

 
 Sorry for your loss. Being a Dad is one of the greatest things us guys can ever be. It really changes your perspective on life.

A lot of these stories are really tough to hear.  You and your families are in our prayers and I'm sorry for your losses.

i went ahead and posted your story   in FB   in my notes witch is on my Wall now i felt all should hear your story  so for those who have FB here  is  the link to my FB Page  
 
 
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1475590807
 
 
Also posted  on  neowin forums    your story should be told 
 

You know, I never had a lot of respect for my dad. Years of alcohol abuse and drug abuse and growing up seeing that as a kid can do that to ya. But i'll always love him, no matter what. I'm sorry to hear this about your Father, and wish you the best.

Sorry for your loss Kaninja
 
I lost my father to cancer a few years back. My father was a very quiet man and we never really talked till the last 6 months he was around. Still wish we could have spent more time with each other.