Thanks for inviting me to this commity

My dad was one of nine children, was the first one to graduate college, and was a natural athlete. He spent the next 15 years after college, helping his younger brothers and sisters get an education.

By the time he and my mom married, he was in his mid-30's. And, because World War II intervened, they put starting a family on hold until the late 1940's.

My dad initially coached football and later became a high school principal. Because he was one of those people who can master a sport quickly, I'm sure he hoped for a son. He got 3 totally klutzy, completely nerdy daughters, but he never looked back or expressed any kind of regret. In fact, he watched us grow with a sense of wonder and pride.

From him, I was given the absolute assurance that I could do anything if I set my mind to it. He showed us that no matter how little we thought we had, we always had something to share. He demonstrated to the 3 of us girls the value of continuing to learn and the importance of being tolerant of others. He could listen to us with patience and the attention that one might give to a worldly wise mentor. That is indeed an art!

As the years have passed since his death, I find myself treasuring those memories. In fact, as I add this comment, I am smiling as I think of what his reaction to this would be. He'd lower his eyes for a second, look up, and say, "Awww, Maggie!"

my father didn't make a lot of money, but he always said, 'i'd rather spend my money on experiences, not things.' <3

Well this is just weird. My dad just passed away this past April 11. I prayed that there would be a way to let others besides my family and friends know what it is like to have and lost a fathe, my daddy.
He was a quiet man. He was military employed until I was 10. We moved then to a farm. Needless to say the work ethic of both those lifestyles is beyond what most of us see today. He honestly was the the most honest, intelliegent and honorable man I have ever known. And, truely, that I know sounds biased, but he was, noted by others a good man.
He had COPD for years and gradually became a physically weak man but still very mentally strong. He had many stays in the hospital and recouped to be able to go home amazing medical theory.
His last visit to the hospital however, was enough for even him to endure. I asked him if he was ready to go home in which he agreed. He made me promise since I was little girl that he would die at home. I arranged transportation, he came thru the door on an ambulance bed and was transferred to his. Those of us that were with him, greeted him with joy and he shook his head.
He finally felt comfortable with the ineveitable and passed within probably 15 minutes of his time home. I held his hand, cried and I sighed at his last breath. It was the most peaceful moment that I have ever felt. I wish I could put it into words. I would like to find someone that can do it for me. Obviously I was overcome with sadness, but my sense of peace far surpassed that.
It has only been a few days and I find myself not angry or in denial. I am not in NO way relieved, but somehow what I experienced with him makes it all seem ok. I am sad for myself. Sad for others who will miss him. Sad that I will not have him physically tell or guide me in the right direction.
Somehow, I just know, that something miraculous happened.

I lost my dad on nov.12-2008 i never knew the loss would be the way it is god bless everyone that has lost and may your dads know how much they are missed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I miss the talks we shared with each other. He was a complicated man at times. But he loved all five of his children. I wish he had not been a smoker. At the end he had wish it also. He passed away in April of 2005. My husband was a smoker also and my father told him to give it up and he tried but he found it impossible. He followed my father in June 2007. Dad I hope you guys are talking and joking around with all the angels in Heaven. Hugs and Kisses to you both, Love Gina

My Dad suddenly died of accute myeloid lukemia on 10-11-08. He didn't know he had cancer when he died. He had been asymptomatic and died of other serious complications but the underlying cause was the cancer. Our family was devistated. He had been in fantastic health, working out, keeping up an acre lawn and most importantly taking care of my 84 year old Mom. He was 79. My parents always thought my Mom would go first. She is the one with the health problems. He was an amazing, most loving, kind, compassionate man. He adopted me when I was a baby. He took my brother and my Mom and I camping, horseback riding, fishing, many places, I had a great life. He taught me to enjoy music and theatre and to be kind to nature and wildlife. His loss makes me feel very alone even when I'm around friends. We were so aligned in spirit and thoughts. We would talk for hours about nutrition and the enviornment and he was always so proud of my accomplishments. He was one of those one in a million men, that lived a clean life and was a loving, nurturing example for my brother and I. The pain of his dying is not getting easier, and I long for him so badly it sometimes scares me. I think if I could die of a broken heart, than there is a possibility of doing so! God, does anybody else feel this way about their Dad? I miss mine so much it just is so difficult!!!

Kim, I definitely feel the same way about my Dad. It helps me to talk about him and write in my journal.

Hello Everyone! I am new to this group! I lost my Dad 12 years ago (I am 27) but it seems it hurts now more than ever! I admire all of you and understand what you are going through. Don't ever give up and do the best you can every day!

I wasn’t sure I would join this group since I am already on the loss of a child. I am the last, the 4th child of an all girls family. My Dad always wanted a son so he was disappointed having all girls. Dad and I weren’t very close when I was growing up. He was an alcoholic so we didn’t see him much. It wasn’t until he became sick that he got off the alcohol and I finally got to know him. I found out he was an exceptionally intelligent, warm and caring person. And he loved me. Me! I had to wait until I was over 30 to hear that but I got to hear it and we became very close. Dad had a lung condition and that is what killed him but he fought to stay alive for my Mom. Sisters and his Grandchildren. I miss him very much and wish he was here to talk too. When I was sad or in trouble I would go to him and he always had a way to make it better, even though I was all grown up. Doesn’t seem fair that once we became friends God called him home. Since our daughter died I need him more than ever now. I love you Dad, until we meet again. Katherine

i was 10 yrs old when i met my father in a florida prison guest room. he died very shortly after we met. i never knew him. after 20 years of searching for realitives on my dads side of the family i found his brother. i am hearing stories and we will go to meet him this summer. i pray you all find something afterwards that eases your pain. who am i kidding i think there will be no time we wont think of our losses and grieve over them. i pray you all can heal

I am dying. I am so sad. My father is in rehab. He was been away from us for about 3 weeks. I am tearing as I type this. I do not know what I am going to do.
He doesn't look like he is going to get better. He is 84 and the only thing he was good at, it appears, was supporting and providing for his family. None of us are married, so we are alone. He is full of jokes and fun. It's not suppose to be like this. We have no one to help us. He doesn't deserve this. I know that we are just people to ya'll, but it hurts so very much. I do not think we can survive this.

I wanted to wish my Dad a Happy Father's day and didn't know where to go to do. I thought of all us without our Dad's and knew this would be the right place. I love you and miss you like crazy. I know your up there watching all of us. Happy Father's day Daddy.

My dad survived septic shock/heart attack after a mishap with the hospital catheter. as a result, He has developed complications from low immune system and his body is shutting down. i already miss talking to him, eating peanuts and sprite at the table, talking about world event nonsense, laughing with him, joking with him. THIS IS NOT RIGHT!!!!!!! He is suffering SO much. He is a good man. HELP ME to understand this! He sacrificed himself for us. WHY???

He never left us, but is leaving us now. He was Superman to us. Always there for us. This is not right.

How am I suppose to get over this depression. My brothers and my sister never visit daddy's grave. I cannot get through to them, that he is the Patriarch of our family, and deserves at the very least a visit from them once a year. They say he is not there. I know this, but his physical body is. They've been 1 time in a year and a half. They didn't help when he was dying, and don't seem to care now that he is gone. Help me to understand this......please!

My prayers are with you and your family Becky, God is with you also.....I'm so sorry for your pain.

Vikki,
I've seen this time and time again. People react differently to loss. Depression is part of grief and it helps to talk to others who are experiencing the same, Keeping a journal is also a good release as well as posting pics. Your brothers and sister are just grieving in their own way. It's perfectly natural.

I miss my dad so much. We did everything together. Even when he was sick, I was always first on his mind. I would somtimes wake up in the night with nightmares, and he always told me I could come downstairs and talk with him anytime. I knew I was his number one -- and it made me feel so special. He died four days ago, but he was in the hospital for about a month prior, and for the past two weeks they've been telling us he wasn't going to make it. I still held on to the hope that he would, though. If anyone could, it would be him. I still can't believe he's gone from this world forever. I pray that time will at least heal some of the pain -- but it feels impossible right now. I still half expect to see him everywhere I go.

Dad's are so very special....God bless you

Its coming up on a year "Aug 18th" since my dad passed away and I don't think I have really delt with my loss. My dad and I were really close my whole life even though he was gone alot with work I still knew he was there. He had been sick for years and I moved away at 19 and didn't see alot of it but for me that was a good thing I think it helped me remember him as we was before. Now that the year is coming up I am starting to feel it I think I miss him so much and don't really have anyone to talk to about it because no one I know has been though this besides my mom and its hard to talk with her about it cause its hard for her as well. I guess thats why I joined here maybe it will help me.

Hello all,

My father passed away Aug 15, nurses said peacefully in his sleep. I hope this is true. I already miss him to much. He was the only true friend I had. Always there when I needed him. We love him so much. It was a hellacious journey he took for 3 months, and he took us with him, but he went to the finish line. I love you, Papie. Forgive me for not being patient with you, for not showing my love for you enough, for not doing enough for you. You sacrificed yourself for us. You were our life.
Rest in peace, my papie. You never left us, but you had to now. I want to hug you again, want to talk to you again, want to buy you peanuts again, please, we wish we had another chance. Why!!!! This is so unbearable, we will never understand. Papie, please look out after us and stay with us in spirit. WE love you.

Fathers day was theone month passing of my daddy. My youngest nephew will turn 4 on the sixth of this month and his poppa would have turned 61 on the 27th of this month. It is so hard to think about my dad being gone and us not getting to hug him or hear him anymore. Im so so sad about this I want to go back and have at least one more minute with him.

Oh my goodness I just can not believe so many of us have lost our parent/parents. My dad died due to colon cancer and I hope his final moments he found peace. My mom just died August 17, 2009 and I feel at times many emotions; heavyness, ache in my chest, then other times I cry for just a few minutes. Still other times I can look at her picture, her urn and feel nothing. I loved my mom very much.

I had just gotten to a good place of accepting my dad's death and now this, on top of the fact my wonderful Step Mother is fighting for her life with PF-Pulmonary Fibrosis.