(Sigh) My Sweet Dad Died Today
It was just 6 months and two days ago that my Mom passed from that horrible disease no one has ever heard of (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy). It's been hard on us all, but Dad's been at the wonderful senior living place still, where he and Mom had been living. It's very close to most of my large family back in Michigan, and everyone visited him often. Dad had been getting progressively weaker and his dementia more and more noticeable. He was 89 and had lived such a full, happy, wonderful life . . . but he was missing "my beautiful bride" so much. He called her that my entire life. We knew it was only a matter of time. He became much sicker on Labor Day and my family took turns staying with him. Hospice made him comfortable. Last night he was unconscious and very restless. This morning he woke and told my two sisters there with him that he wanted to stand up. They helped him stand, and he died in their arms a moment later. I know Mom was with him there, too, and that brings me comfort.
They were the greatest parents and role models. Dad was a bank vice-president, but his free time was totally for our family. Our homes were the gathering places for all our friends. Not because we had a summerhouse on a lake outside Ontario, a pool in our backyard and a fun game room downstairs (edited to add: that was because we had so many kids that family vacations elsewhere were too crazy to even consider). It was because my parents were always so welcoming and friendly to our friends and neighbors. As adults, a number of our friends confessed to us that their own parents were not so kind and loving as we'd assumed, and that they'd loved spending time at our home because they were always welcomed and because my parents were "so kind, and loving and fun, just like normal parents in a happy family movie were". Our neighbors called us "The Waltons" of our town (LOL). Yes, we took our happy childhoods for granted back then, but will be forever grateful for them now. Mom & Dad had a very long, very happy and loving marriage and were each other's best friends. They were also wonderful role models and mentors. Their beautiful legacy, we've promised them, will live on through our children and grandchildren and beyond. They had nine children, 21 grandchildren and fourteen great-grandbabies with many more to come. This is a photo of them taken at a family wedding. This dance was only for them, surrounded by their cheering, clapping, loving family. This is not a sad post. Rather, it's my little personal celebration of two of the most amazing, wonderful people I've ever known. I'm just blessed that they were also my parents.
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Dad died
Comments (28)Brian: I'm happy to hear that your friends and family have reached out. Just make sure you don't turn them away because now is when you need their support the most. They love you and reaching out shows how much they care (so know that you are not alone). And talking about the memories will surely make you smile again. It still makes me smile when I talk about my dad even after the 31 years he's been gone. Just remember, you are still young and have a full life ahead of you to be whatever you want to be and do whatever you want with your life to make your dad (and yourself) proud. He'll be watching over you from Heaven, for sure. As a side note - Now that you have that passport, you'll be able to travel abroad whenever you choose without the last minute scramble of getting one. Good luck to you and I wish you well....See MoreMy Dad Died last week unexpectedly
Comments (4)Hi, I just lost my father on january 29 he was 55..im only 20 and I live about 2 hours. From home...my father was the most amazing dad he gave me the world when I was growing up..my story's a little different though. He suffered from alcoholism the past 4 or so years. My brother and I used to tell him the next time we saw him was going to be at his grave. I have cried a little but now im back at home alone, and its hitting me so much harder. But I still feel like I should cry more I want to and I need to I do love him so very much, and im erasing the passed few years from my memory. Im trying to accept that fact that he's at peace now, but I think my anger is still there and I want it to go away so I can finally start grieving...... Im sorry for kinda turning this into my story but I want you to know your lucky you can let it out..and it might be good for you to go back to school, as much as its going to suck the more you let it out I bet its easier to accept it and move on. Good luck with everything life will go on... and until you meet him up there he will never leave your side....See MoreMy best friend, Linda, died today. Thank you for all your prayer
Comments (31)I'm sorry Dorothy. Tough loss for all. Since Noe is in low income, can they not adjust her rent to her income only? Are there any organizations that you can do the "leg" work on to get her some assistance/counseling for the changes in her life?...See Moretoday, i will lay my sweet bentley to rest
Comments (21)Oh, Nina...I am so sorry. I realized I hadn't been back since posting about Destiny.... I was, actually. Didn't have time to post...this is so sad... he is a beautiful boy.... I love that picture of him! How nice of your friends to frame it. I was coming to see if there were new posts on the Destiny thread... and thinking, at the same time, fingers crossed Bentley Boy is still hanging in there. I really am sorry for your loss. I'm glad you have Olivia and Destiny to help you through this. I think you'll find that Bentley is still with you and the pups and he will stay until he guides a new dog towards your loving home. He knows. Bentley knows. Hugs...See More
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