Big Fish

"Y'see, most men, they'll tell a story straight through— it won't be complicated, but it won't be interesting either. A  man tells his stories so many times that he becomes the stories. They live on after him. And in that way, he becomes immortal."

Almost every story Pa ever told me began with the line, "I met this girl in a bar...." That's part of why I liked him so much.

I'm glad the last time I spent with Pa was in my dining room, listening to him tell me stories about anything and everything for a good two hours. He could always remember details, like the names of Navy buddies, exact dates of random events, and specifics about family happenings. We shared a love of Diet Coke, and it felt like a million bucks when you said something that could make him smile or laugh.

The last story he told me was about two older women who "had it bad" for him recently. We laughed about it, and then he broke into tears and said he wanted nothing more than to be with "his Ma" again. I held his hand and he moved on to the next story. Being around him was always very effortless for me, and for that I'm grateful.

It seemed unfair that Ma went first, and I'm glad he was able to join her last night. There were fireworks in the sky for more than one reason. It's hard to see the people you love feel broken, and a part of me rejoiced that he finally got what he wanted. Months away from her probably felt like an eternity to him, and it wouldn't be fair to keep him here longer when his heart and soul had already checked out.

I'll selfishly miss going into his room and sitting with him, pretending to understand Nascar, and enjoying his company. I hope there was a really amazing reunion on the other side with Ma and Kelly, and a really rowdy and inappropriate welcome from his old Navy buddies.

We'll miss him so much. He had a big presence. He was a big fish.

Will: As we get close to the river, we see that everybody is already there.

 And I mean everyone...It's- it's unbelievable.

Edward: The story...of my life.

Will: And the strange thing is, there's not a sad face to be found. Everyone is just so glad to see you and send you off right.

You become what you always were...A very big fish...And that's how it happens.

Edward: Exactly.