Denver Jenkins Wathen Jr. left this world September 15, 2011 at 3:55pm the same way he came into it March 22, 1931, surrounded by family.
It was not the ending any of us would have predicted, but one I think none of us would ever trade.
I have learned more about my father in the last few weeks than he ever cared to tell me in all my 48 yrs. I’ve looked thru his records, a disintegrating birth certificate, diplomas, military discharge papers, divorce decrees and every picture I could find. I peeled back the layers of wrapping paper and found a person in the center of the box.
He was not perfect, just human. Subject to all the hazards and consequences we all must face through life. I was able to see the things that jaded him and the circumstances that made him shy away from being the husband and father we wished he could have been.
None of us will ever know the real Denver, what he thought or what he felt. But I think I got as close as I was ever meant to these final days.
God wanted me to SEE him as a fellow human being. Just a person who filled his bag with life experiences and at the end had to stand at the dock and empty that bag piece by piece, re-examining each experience till the only thing left in the bottom of the bag was the coin for the Ferryman.
Today he set his burdens down and tonight he is traveling light once again.
I love each and every one of you
Juliana
Copyright 2011 Juliana Wathen
Diary of a MAD * FAT * WOMAN..... 
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