The Absence is Haunting

written 10-2023

The absence is haunting

I'm in Alabama visiting my daughter. I've been to my Dad's place twice this visit. The lack of his presence makes the place feel haunted. Sadness just permeates the place. My daughter can barely go into his home. She says she experiences vertigo every time she enters his house.
There is a huge tree directly in front of his home. He wouldn't allow anyone to trim the limbs. He was afraid it would harm the tree. When I was here this summer taking care of things for him we discovered the tree limbs dragging across the roof severely damaged his home. So, we trimmed limbs so we could what repairs had to be made.
The tree has lost more leaves than the other trees in the yard. If this tree dies I will be heartbroken.
I didn't realize how much of a presence my Dad had until he was no longer here.