My dad went to be with the Lord last night. I cannot tell you how hard he fought this ugly disease. I was thinking about when I last saw him, just a couple of days ago and before I left I wanted to see him walk. That was the goal-to get him up and walking so he could be strong enough to endure one last try at a treatment. At this time I had no idea he was so close to passing. The nurses came in and helped him and I saw how hard it was for him to only walk a few steps and then he needed to turn back around to sit.
I thought to myself look how weak he is, my poor dad, I wish he could have walked longer. But now I think back and realize my dad was so close to death and yet he still wanted to walk.
He wasn't weak at all, he was so so strong.
Most would have just stayed there in their bed in the kind of pain he was in but he wanted so badly to show us that he wanted to get better. He wanted to show us he still had strength. Incredible strength.
I cannot express the love I had for my dad. He treated me, my sister and my mom like queens. He was always loving, funny, gentle and kind. Not one bad memory can come to mind. To not have him in my life is going to be so terribly hard. So many wonderful memories, I just don't know how to go on. But I will. We all will. I'm just thankful that melanoma doesn't have a hold of him anymore. He is free from pain, free from discouragement that he faced for a year. He is well now and with his savior.
Thank you all for your kind words, thoughts and prayers. Our family is hurting now but not because dad is hurting, because our hearts will miss him so.
Robert James Cross
February 24, 1945-May 3, 2011
