I wasn’t there when my father died. I had been visiting him every day while he was in hospital but on that particular Sunday I stayed home to care for my children while my husband ran out to get groceries for our family of 6. My sister called to let me know my father was deteriorating and that I should come as soon as I could. She put my father on the phone. I told dad I was on my way and  I would be there soon. He said, “ I just want you to know I love you” and he called me by name. These were the last words (but the most important words) I heard from my dad.