MONOLOGUE
I Love You, Goodbye, By Kelly Ann Whitlock

Memior
F 30+
Contemporary
Dramatic

A daughter talks to her dying father as he lies in a hospital bed, hooked up to life support. Doctors are standing by to pull the plug, but daughter has requested one last visit. She is holding his hand.

Hi Daddy. There are so many things that I want to say to youi, but they said I could only stay a few minutes. God, I wish I would have said these things to you before now. I just pray that somehow you can hear me.
I know that you blame yourself for my skrew-ups. Do not! I was the one that made the bad decisions. You have been a great dad. The best. You stuck by me through everything, and you loved me no matter what I did. You have always acted proud of me. You are the only person who has done that.
I am glad that you didn't have a son. I know you were disappointed, but I am glad that I took his place. I never told you that memories of my childhood are fond ones. You taught me so many things. You taught me to love animals, especially horses. I remember when you bought me my first pony when I was 8. You kept it a surprise. You were always good at doing that. Then, when I got too big for her you bought me Flika. I loved her so much. I especially loved barrel racing with her. She was so good. I was heart broken when she died. I know that you bought me another horse right away because you hated to see me sad.
Thank you so much for taking the time to find me a dog last year when I was so depressed. You were so sure that it would cheer me up. You traveled a long way to bring him to me and I want you to know that I love you so much for doing that.
I don't know if you remember this, but the picture is so vivid in my mind. We went for a very early ride before anyone else was up. We went up the canyon at Anthony Flats. We decided to go to the top. I remember that narrow path on the cliff that we had to travel to reach the very top. I was so afraid that my horse would miss a step and I would go tumbling down the cliff. You kept saying, 'Don't tell you mother that we did this, will kill me.'� We made it to the top. Remember the meadow that we found. There was a fresh water stream. That Elk drinking was so huge and beautiful. You told me to stay back, but I didn't listen. I rode my horse right up to the elk. Why do you think he wasn't afraid? Maybe he couldn't smell me, just the horse. Anyway, I will never forget touching him on hiis nose...how soft it was. It was then that he bolted. I guess he figured out that I was there.
The fish story you always tell. You were always so proud to tell that story. You took me fishing with your three brothers. I insisted on baiting my own hook. I remember the squishy worm feel as i pushed and him on the hook. I wanted you to be proud of me. And then, I started to catch fish after fish while you guys couldn't catch one fish. I remembe Uncle David kicking a rock in frusration. I caught my limit and they were accusing me of putting something on my night crawlers to attract the fish. I offered to bait there hooks, but they wouldn't let me. When we went home, I was the only one with a mess of trout. It was a good dinner though, was'nt it. You told that story so many times. I love you so much.
Daddy, thanks for bragging about me to all your friends and never talking about my skrew-ups. It was like they didn't even exist in your mind. You can't imagine how much that meant to me.
I know I took yoiu for granted. I never realized how terrific you were until now. Now, when it may be too late for you to hear me.
Just thanks for being my dad. Wherever you go now, please watch over me. You are my best friend. I have to go now. I love you. Goodbye.

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