Even though I am an old man I still miss my dad. Now and then I wish I could talk to him again. We started several conversations we never finished. And I could kick myself for those times when I just sat with him and said nothing – as though he were going to be around always. But life is like that. If life is anything, it is a series of relinquishments from the cradle to the grave. We give up the bottle so we can eat solid food. We give up diapers and learn to dress ourselves. We leave kindergarten so we can go on to the first grade. The process continues until life ends. If we live a long life we also give up people one by one. Precious friends and relatives drop out of our lives and we move on to love and embrace others. it.