Can't Let Go of This Familiar Stranger

I was saddened when I heard you died,
I stayed up for hours that night and cried.
Cant believe you're no longer around,
you no longer posess the ability to make a sound.
My sister and I, also like daughters to you, went to the wake to say goodbye,
joined our best friends and found ourselves crying and pleading 'why.'
Why did this have to happen to you,
did you know we looked at you as a father too?
We've known you for as long as we can remember but the memories can not ease our hurt,
our best friends, your son and daughter, sadly had to lay you in the dirt.
It was the day of Fathers Day that we had to view you and cry,
the day after that it was time to really say goodbye.
It is hard for me to let go ,
I look at you and don't see the Ed I grew up to know.
The Cancer has stolen your smile and your happy eyes,
the very disease I have come to despise.
Not recognizing this familiar stranger laying before me,
I find it hard to say goodbye and let you be free.