associated in random thought

goodnight, boompie.

we lost boompie last night. he passed peacefully, with his daughters by his side. helen told me as i picked her up from the bus, and she crumpled. "i didn't expect it to be this hard," she sobbed.

we knew this was coming. he was 90 years old. he'd been ailing since his splenectomy in august, and he was ready to see his beloved marguerite again. when he was moved from his home to a nursing home, we knew it wouldn't be long. institutions like that simply weren't boomp's style.

but, when it actually happened, it was as much a shock as if he were a young man who died before his time.

it doesn't make sense. boomp is immortal.

boomp is the man who stepped into helen's life and redeemed the word "father". he is the man who kissed me on the lips every time he saw me, and told me he loved me. i have never had a grandfather of my own. boomp stepped into my life and welcomed me as his own family.

after his wife died last year, boomp sat with me awhile, holding my hand. though he never acknowledged me as more than "helen's friend annie", he leaned in close to me and said, "you and helen are lucky to have one another."

he knew. boomp knew everything.

his death is not real yet, as i sit here on the porch in my pajamas this morning, sipping coffee, and remembering that it's my birthday. helen is sleeping through the numbness, and i am trying to imagine a world without boomp's ornery, hilarious story-telling self in it.

goodnight, boompie. goodnight.

cecil earl sparks jr. 1916-2006




Posted by bananie at October 26, 2006 11:41 AM | TrackBack