What would your loved ones write about you after you pass on?

We have always been asked to be good as we live our lives not because there’s a reward waiting for us if we do but because people will remember how we touched their lives.

In Florida, however, people were stunned, shocked, and saddened when they read a scathing obituary of one son to a father.

“Lawrence Sr.’s passing proves that evil does eventually die.”

This line was written under the obituary of one Lawrence H. Ptaff Sr. The obituary was written by his namesake which begged the question, what did the man do to deserve these words?

For Ptaff Jr. writing this obituary wasn’t only a way to make peace with the trauma he endured as a child.

Parents are often viewed as infallible individuals who are full of love. People often assume that parents want the best for their children but in reality, not everyone is blessed with such kind of love.

Ptaff Jr. described how it was like living with his father.

He described Ptaff Sr. as someone whose love is abundant – but only when it came to himself. That kind of love was in limited supply when it comes to his five children. According to the obituary, he could have fathered more than five.

On top of being a narcissist, Ptaff Jr. also said that his father was an abusive alcoholic and a serial womanizer. His habits have led to strained relationships with his family which inadvertently damaged his children.

He also said that his father is “incapable of love”.

The obituary explained that Ptaff Sr. worked in the New York Police Department for over two decades.

He also rebuked his father’s claim that he was “clean and sober” for three decades, especially when he “never worked” on steps eight and nine of the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program.

Ptaff Jr. further said that his father’s death marks their time of healing.

“It was a difficult process that I came to about a year ago when I reached a point that I needed to get past some of the stuff,” Ptaff Jr. told NBC. He shared that he started writing the obituary a year before his father’s passing.

When he first wrote the piece, he expected that people would criticize him for speaking sharply against his father. He was surprised that he instead received thanks for his candor.

“If we can help somebody else see that it’s okay to stand up for yourself and tell the truth, there’s really nothing bad that should come from that.” He further said, especially when he saw many others relating to his sentiments.

However, the newspaper that published the obituary didn’t agree fully.

They said that the post will be investigated and claimed that the piece “did not comply with editorial guidelines”.

Whichever the case, one thing remains true – having kids is different from being a parent. As Ptaff Jr. said, “he was a father to many, and a dad to none”.

May this be a reminder to parents that you’ll never know what your children will take with them when you pass on. Your children will only give back the love you gave them so love your children kindly, sincerely, and unconditionally.

Watch how this son took the chance to say his truth through his father’s obituary.

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Source: YouTube – First Coast News, Jacksonville.com, NBC