My dad is dying...

and, many friends have told the that the good news in knowing this is that we have ample opportunity to say goodbye.

I've thought a lot about that and, rather than making sure that the "goodbye" is handled well I'm actually being more mindful about insuring that our remaining "hello's" are paid attention to.

Hello. It's a simple word. It's an opening to a way of getting to know someone - even someone I've known literally all of my life. Hello is about connecting. Since finding out about dad's illness connecting has become very important.

Hello, tell me more about yourself; tell me more about how you've created this life for yourself; tell me about what's important to you. He's told me stories that I've never heard (and he's quite a story teller and has led a fascinating life). He's told me stories that have introduced him to me in a different way. Today, I appreciate him more; I appreciate his life more. Today, I more fully understand his decisions and appreciate more fully his fears.

Today isn't for goodbye's. Goodbye is about closure. That will come. Today, I want connection. Hello, let's talk well,  let's connect well - until it's time to say goodbye.