The Goodbye Letter

Dear Dad,\n\nI'm writing this because I never got to say goodbye. You died suddenly, and I was three states away, and by the time I got there, you were already gone.\n\nI wanted to tell you that I forgive you. For the missed birthdays. The broken promises. The times you chose work over us.\n\nI understand now. You were doing what you thought was right. You were trying to give us a better life. And you did. We never went hungry. We never went without.\n\nBut I wish you had been there. I wish I had more memories of you.\n\nI'm a father now. I make mistakes too. But every night, I tuck my son in and tell him I love him. Because I know what it's like to grow up without hearing those words.\n\nI forgive you, Dad. And I love you.\n\nYour son,\n\nWho still misses you every day