My dad, my hero.

I got a call on Wednesday's night from my little sister telling me that dad was going to have a surgery, 4 hours later she said he was ok but in critical condition I went to bed after midnight thinking that tomorrow he was going to be ok and he was thanks to God. He was awake and responding. Things took a turn for the worse after 10 am and by 10:30 he was gone. I rushed to the airport; the plane landed at 3:30 pm. It was like a dream, still is. The chapell was small and simple; he looked beautiful like an angel...of course it had a lot to do with my sister's choice of combination of flowers, casket and clothes. My chest was in pain, the pain that comes from the same place where I find my strength deep, deep inside. I adore my dad, he is my hero. He used to drink a bit too much, way too much. He stopped when I was 14 years old and never went back to alcohol, not once. I was raised going to Al-Ateen and Al-Anoon meetings, it was fun in a funky way. He would make anything fun no matter what. In our culture we stay with the body until he is buried or cremated, people came and left until about 2 or 3 am; my sister, her friend and myself stayed until the next day. I slept on the soft chair about 5 feet away from my dad, when I opened my eyes around 5 or 6 am I realized I was not dreaming and I cried again. My sis got up and hugged me..."his mouth is changing color" I said, she told me: "it's only the light don't worry". The Padre showed after 10 am and explained how my dad was on a better place now and pain free, I want to feel better but I can't help to think how much I already miss him. My mom seems to be ok, I thought I was going to help her stay strong but I just can't. Before he was taken a mariachi came, the old songs sounded melancholic and sad like never before. My oldest brother was crying like a kid and put a letter that his little girl wrote for grandpa inside the gasket and I almost fainted. My dad's sister was surprised how much her brother was loved, she seemed sad but very proud... She told the three of us that he died a happy man and in peace surrounded by love. I want to feel better but I am just too sad right now, I miss him too much and I can't believe that he is gone.