Dads and their adult offspring...a story.
My dad used to go walkabout constantly. Once, he met a pretty lady online, and took a trip to Florida to spend time. Mind you, at the time he had chronic heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, hepatitis c (blood transfusion in the 80's gone awry), and was quite disabled, with a fused knee, artificial hip, and a right arm severely damaged from an industrial accident. In other words, he was not a perfect specimen of health...but that said, when he wanted to go, I had to hug him tight and then release him into the ether.
The last time I tried to advise him to avoid a trip, he not so gently reminded me that it was his life. As worried as I was, he left for Mazatlan, Mexico. When he came back, I had to call the ambulance. When personnel arrived, they didn't think he'd make it to the hospital. Intensive Care Unit, regular hospital room, nursing home, and then I sprung him from the home. Couldn't bear seeing him so downtrodden and "maintained". I wanted him to be free, and as independent as possible. I knew that he was going to require a lot from me, but I was given the choice to get him out or leave him admitted. He came home 11 days after he was admitted to that nursing home.
It was seven months of hospice and then he was gone. In my very experienced relationship with a dad--a solo dad, with wife deceased--you just have to love them tight, and let them go. If the universe sends them back with some great stories and fun times, it is meant to be. Gotta let 'em go.
When the hard time comes, rest assured that you let your parent (parents) live free and make their own decisions. Some of those decisions mean they depart sooner. I would not have chosen any different.
Thanks for letting me digress.