My father recently passed away, and we had been estranged for most of my adult life, by his choice, much more than mine. I tried many times over his lifetime, to have some kind of relationship, but he didn't desire to have one with me. That broke my heart beyond words. Every child both desires and deserves, the love and approval of their parent. No child should ever have to beg their parent for a relationship. The last time I had seen or spoken to him, was on Thanksgiving Day, two and half years prior. I am eternally grateful that was my final memory of him, because it was actually a positive one. He was uncharacteristically kind and loving that day. We said goodbye to each other, with a (rarely occurring) embrace, and I suppose that is the closest thing to closure I will ever get.
