On of my first pets was canary named Rolo. Rolo was a gift from a friend of my Dad who loved canaries as much as my Dad. I remember how much I loved that little fella. He loved to sing as all canaries do and I loved it when dad allowed him outside the cage and he would perch on my shoulder. Out of the various pets I had as a child Rolo was the one I had a strongest bond with. Rolo lived with us for 5 years until he passed away. To think about it Rolo was the first time I had questions about death. I remember that took us to the backyard back in Connecticut and we buried Rolo. To think about it we treated him better than most canaries get treated even when his little canary soul had left his orange/redish colored body.
As a child that was one of my first experiences with the cycle of life. It heped me understand other instances where family members passed away.
There is no easy way to accept death. Many years later just the thought of a family member or close friend being ill or losing their life makes my stomach sick.
I recently found out that my Dad is in the early stages of Prostate Cancer. After talking to many people on Google Plus and other friends, I feel a bit more relaxed. I have other family members battling cancer but I guess when it is your Dad it is a whole different story. I am a new father and the fact that my dad still has not seen his grandaughter also worries me. I want my daughter to have the privilege I had of being able to have both of my grandfathers alive until I was 28. But as in life, we only get to control some things and have to deal with adversity as it comes.
Don Tito’s Love for Canaries
My dad has always been in love with Canaries. For the last two years after decades of having canaries they finally started breeding so if you go to my father’s appartment in Connecticut there is a room full of my Dad’s daily therapy which is cleaning cages and feeding the canaries. My dad works 6 days a week sometimes seven and he really enjoys getting home to watch baseball and take care of his feathered children. I call him often and if he is in the process of his daily therapy I know I should call him at a later time.
My Dad's Canaries
Canary in the Window
An hour or two after I got the news about my Dad, I sat to eat lunch at the dining table and heard a pecking sound at the window. When I looked, I saw a small bird in between the window panes. I took a closer look and realized it was a Canary.
I have seen many birds in the tropics but there are not many canaries flying around freely. When I went to get my phone to take a picture I saw how the Canary flew away.
I am not a religious person but I try to be as Spiritual as possible. I have presenced many things that many of you might think I am crazy (but maybe I am). For some reason mother nature and a higher being always communicate with me to let me know things will be alright or it prepares me for the opposite.
The canary in the window allowed me to sit back and understand that the cycle of life is something we can’t go against.
My Dad enjoys canaries and I realized that I have to bring as much Joy to my Dad’s life as I can. As the father of one of the Papa Heroes gets ready to battle cancer I ask the Papa Heroes Alliance for your good vibes, wishes, and prayers.
This canary and all the beautiful messages you sent to me, helped me cleared my mind. Now I can focus and help my Dad battle cancer as many others have done with there Dad’s.
Thanks to all of you for your support!
red canary on top photo credit by Presleyjesus
What a beautiful story, what a joy to have a Dad who is so loving and respectful of nature and who cares for the little gifts of GOD. I have lost both parents and although never experience any sign of love from my father it was a difficult period when I found out he had cancer.
Today cancer does not mean an automatic death, it is still very difficult, but times have changed and people live longer lives while battling this terrible disease.
Father and I had never had a relationship, I visited out of the love I had for my Mother who asked me to go. My religious convictions point to the fact that as a Christian I need forgiveness from GOD and also from people who on purpose or inadvertently I have hurt. I need to forgive to be forgiven!
The week before he passed on, He said to me that I was the last one he expected to be next to him, I had shaved half his face the last time I had visited, but he was so tired he had asked me to stop. I felt good for what I was doing and thanked my mom in my thoughts for pushing me. The following Saturday, I found him shaved and looking much better. He kept rubbing the edge of the blanket and often looked down while he spoke. He was apologizing in his way, my heart just melted and mentally said a “Thank You” GOD.
I thought losing him was my preparation for losing my Mom, but nothing prepares us for this time. It hurts deeply and to the core. We must mourn and let go, but instead of the sad points in their lives, we need to remember and celebrate the happy times. I thank both for teaching me how to die and to accept our mortality and this only happens when we lose our parents.
One of my childhood wishes that had remain buried in me as an adult had always been to have a father I could call, “Daddy.” When Calvary Hospital, the hospice where he died called to let me know that he had passed, I went to a place alone and said out loud; Good bye, Daddy, and I cried for a man who did not know how to love his children. We, his five children have been great loving parents, we owe that to him, we would never hurt our children as he did.
Try to spend time with him if not physically, then on the phone, speak of all the good times, be thankful for all his teachings and love, just enjoy what you have. My prayers for his recovery and for your strength through this trial. Stay strong. Leo