For My Dad: Thank You – Grief and Gratitude

On February 27th, 2023, my Father, Frank Furlong, lost his battle with cancer. I wrote this post four days prior to his passing. In many ways, he was the inspiration for Tech Vs. Humans. Be Creative. Be Humane. Make up a few words (Sproodle Juice, anyone?) Have a laugh with a friend or someone new. Be an inspiration. Follow your passion – whatever time it is. And somewhere in there, if we all do this, there is a world worth living in.

Dad,

I told you I love you. I thanked you. Once more.

You told me you love me. You thanked me. Once more.

And yet, it wasn’t enough. Holding your hand, touching your cheek, or kissing you one last time wasn’t enough.

It will never feel like enough.

But it will have to be…because I want you to be strong, to enter this next chapter, to know that we will be fine.

We will be fine.

Before they turn off all the lights, I want you to know – you did an awesome job in this life. You set the bar so high – I can only hope to achieve it one day. I hope to be the Dad you were. You are.

But Please. Please. Please. KNOW – we will be fine.

We will all be fine. We will watch out for each other now.

It’s our turn to chase the monsters away.

We’ll try to make you proud.

Yes, I’m sad – I want you to see my girls grow.

But that is me being selfish and myopic.

You will always watch over us.

And so, we will be fine.

It’s our turn to chase the monsters away.

You can let go now.

We will be fine.

Because of you.

I love you, Dad.

Supporting Music

Monsters by James Blunt