Finally, it seemed like an eternity but we got to his house, i layed him down to sleep, and i let myself just explode with emotion. I knew he was going to pass, and i knew he was never going to be in pain anymore. However, i failed to prepare myself for the fact that i would never see him again. I would never hear his voice, never laugh another laugh with him. For some reason his laugh is something i can never forget. It was one of those contagious ones where even if you didn't know why he was laughing you just had to join him.
I then turned on the tv and "My sister's keeper" was on. So i watched, and i cried.
Christmas will be the toughest. You see my aunt debbie and him always put a Noel sign on the mantel but instead of spelling out NOEL, ricky always changed it to LEON. And we always had a tradition to play card games after any holiday. When we were kids we would just sit and be "Good luck charms" A.K.A pains in the asses. We used to charge them to use our troll dolls for good luck!!! haha! and they would pay us. Then as we got older, they let us join in. It was my favorite time. Getting to play as a family.
What really broke my heart the most was that i heard my dad say he doesn't want to do it anymore. He will never look forward to a holiday again because his brother won't be here to enjoy it with him. Seeing your father cry is something you cannot get out of your head. It only happens a few times if ever in a child life and for me, lately, i've had to see it to much.
I remember one day my father and i went to visit Ricky before he passed. It was back when we first heard he as sick again. Back when they thought he wouldn't make it a few weeks. We both spent time with him and i just remember him laying there in his bed. helpless.
When we left, as soon as we got in the car, my father and i burst into tears. We both had this feeling that we would never see him again and that this was it. I have never seen my dad cry so hard. There was nothing i could say to comfort him. There was nothing i could do to help.By far the worst situation to be in. a daughter and a father.
For us anyway, then there was Jill and her father. My best friend/sister has lost her father. The unbearable pain she must feel. When she called me that day, after maeg, her voice was in hysterics. How was i going to comfort her, what can i possibly do. There was nothing. We all lost a huge part of our lives that day. A huge part of our hearts.
How are we going to go on?
Richard A. Cooper
May 24,1954
April 28,2011
God saw you were tired,
and a cure was not to be,
So he put his arms around you,
and whispered, "Come to me."
With tearful eyes we watched you,
and saw you pass away,
Although we loved you dearly,
we could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands at rest
God broke our hearts to
prove to us,
He only takes the best.
Richard was last known to be living in Atkinson, New Hampshire. He was formerly from Salem, New Hampshire.
He was educated in Revere, MA. He later graduated from Franklin Pierce College in Concord, NH.
Mr. Cooper was a United States Marshal for over 25 years. He was a US Air Force veteran, serving during the Vietnam War.
He is survived by his wife Deborah.
A memorial service will be held Monday, May 9th at 10 AM at Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St, Salem, NH. Calling hours will be held Sunday, May 8th from 4-8 PM at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105.
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