The day after Valentine’s day is not a good day for memories. In February of 1999, I was informed that my father, who had been receiving treatment for colon cancer on and off for the previous three and a half years, was not doing well. I was on a plane to Chicago a couple of days later.
I arrived on a Friday and my dad seemed okay then but he was worse on Saturday. Valintine’s day was the next day and I thought about getting him a Valentine’s Day card for him to give to my mom. I didn’t have a car so the thought never turned into action but I regret not making the effort.
When I spoke to my sister that day I thought about telling her to cancel her tickets for next month and get on a plane tomorrow. I thought about it but didn’t do it because I had no idea how long my father had left on this Earth. I regret that too because by Monday he was gone.
Recently my mother brought some old photos to me and I would like to share some of my father, Charles Huss Sr.
Here he is back in the 60s. I’m not sure when this was taken but it is possibly before I was born.
Here he is with my mom in 1973.
Here is our family on Dad’s parent’s fiftieth wedding anniversary on New Years Day, 1986.
Here he is in 1994 at my parent’s second home on Pine Island, near Fort Meyer’s, Florida. I helped him plant that tree a few years earlier after he fished a couple of coconuts out of the water.
Finally, here he is in June of 1997 with my mom at my cousin’s wedding.
In 2018, also on the day after Valentine’s day, we lost our sweet boy Puck. You can read my post about it here. My father just turned 59 and Puck had not reached six years old. Both died way too young.
Puck came to us as a kitten after abbey died in 2012. Chris took to him right away and seemed to act like a father figure to him.
When Puck was young he would hang out with my wife while she was getting ready for work. Sometimes he would chase a Qtip and then bring them back to her so she could throw it again.
Puck and Chris became close buddies.
They also played together but they were never mean to each other.
Eventually, Puck started having health issues and was at the vet a lot. He liked to hide behind me while we waited for the vet.
This is one of the last photos of a happy Puck taken on February 11, 2018, the day we finished construction of their new catio. Sadly, Puck did not have much time to enjoy it.
Thank you for indulging me while I share my memories. Despite the untimely endings, these are good memories.
Bad Cat Chris 
You look so much like your Dad……I think all of us have regrets about many things in our lives but we do the best we can “in the moment” and that’s what counts. We can’t know the outcome of those decisions at the time. Looking back can be tough sometimes but there are always GOOD memories to be had in those backward glances too.
Hugs, Pam
Thanks, Pam. I guess we only mourn someone because they gave us happy memories. I would rather lose someone who made me happy than to never have that happiness in the first place.
Exactly……..!
I’m with Pam, there is so much of your dad in you and I love the photos of your family…so sorry that your dad had to go so young.. and your Puck too….. sometimes life has plans we can not understand…
That is so true. Thanks so much.
The photo of Puck and Chris play-fighting is such a fun one. These are good memories, though, Charles.
Yes, they are. Thanks.
Purrs and hugs to you as you remember your dad and Puck. They may be gone but are never forgotten and always loved.
Thanks so much.
Good memories to treasure but I know the sadness too. Purrs from us.
Thanks. I appreciate it.
the first photo of your dad is almost identical to the one you have for your “blog” photo; albeit missing cat ♥♥ it’s nice that you have these photos to look back on; one happy memory usually
leads to 100 more; here’s hoping today brings some of those HAPPY memories of both dad and puck ♥♥
Several people said something similar on Facebook today. Thanks so much.
Sweet tributes and warm memories. xoxo
Thanks
Our HuMom lost her Dad too early too – and many cats too early. We send you purrayers and prayers as you remember your Dad and sweet Pucky.
Thank you.
I am sorry you lost your dad and Puck on Valentine’s Day. I can see how even one of those events would ruin the day forever.
Thank you. It was actually the day after so Valentine’s day is still safe.
Such bittersweet memories, your Dad was very handsome and looked so happy. Puck was a sweetie too. Hugs from all of us.
Thank you so much.
You need a hug… >hug!<
Sorry for the corny comment, but I teared up reading this.
Thanks, Doug.
Thank you for sharing these memories with us. You look quite a bit like your dad in his younger photos.
Thanks. My wife tells me that too.
Such a heart felt story, The furries, our deeply loved ones, leave us far too early.
They sure do. I always wanted a parrot for a pet because they live so long but it was never in the case for me it’s just as well. Our cats are more than enough. 🙂