My Dad

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

After a 19 year battle with Parkinson's Disease, my father passed away on Monday. He was only 71.

Even though he was ill, it was still a shock.

He was a wonderful man, an elementary school teacher for nearly 40 years before he became ill.

I am sad, but also know that the last year in particular was very difficult for him. I like to think of him, healthy and whole again, watching over my children.

I am still planning to take my son (who is the oldest grandchild) on our trip on Saturday. Before my father got very ill, he played hours of chess with my son. It will be especially nice for my son and I to have this time together now, and I suppose it is good that I was still here when this happened.

Sharon

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

Sharon,
I reveived your PM, but decided to answer in time. So now's as good as any.

Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. I lost my Dad many years ago and it does get better in time and you do get through it eventually, but it probably doesn't seem like it now.

The nice part is (and this will come) that when I dream of him, he is indeed healthy and whole again. He never appears in his sick state. There is great comfort in that.

Indeed, it was so much better that if it had to happen, it happened when you were stateside.

Thinking of you and your family,
Beags

[Tinkerbell Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tinkerbell]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Your post brought tears to my eyes. Your dad sounds like a wonderful man.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Sharon,

I am terribly sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. Please accept my sincere condolences. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[nursetanya1973 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close nursetanya1973]

I know that with a long illness such as this, that you have grieved for your father many times over. My prayers are with you.

Tanya

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

I know how you feel right now as I lost both my parents at a young age. Time will heal all wounds. RIP.

[Chap7 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Chap7]

I'm so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. You are right, though. He is now in a better place and watching over you and your family.

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

I lost my father to Parkinson's 3 years ago. It is such a terrible illiness. Wish there was more funding to help fight it. I am so sorry for your loss, it will get better with time, but I still think of my dad a lot. Some times it is the little things that remind me of him. Sounds like your dad was a great father and grandfather and know you all will miss him.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Sharon,

I am so sorry. He was indeed young, but with an illness like that numbers do not matter. Timing is interesting, looks like he really wanted you to have a good trip with your son.

Avery

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

My sincere condolences, Sharon. I think it's a good thing that you are still going on your trip - it will keep you busy and leave less time to dwell on your loss.

[funtime2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close funtime2]

Hope you have a good vacation and time to reflect. The only advice I can give is to get through the first year. Everything will be different because your dad is not here any longer. Make new traditions for your family. I am sure they will be ones that your dad would be proud of.

[4ARedOctober Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close 4ARedOctober]

Sharon.....my deepest sympathies are with you and your family...please take care. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. So sorry for your loss.

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

Sharon, please add our condolences to all of the others you are receiving. We know what a loving person you are, and it was because of the man your father was...he gave that gift to you, and you pass it on each and every day. I think your upcoming trip will be filled with many opportunities that will help your son to heal and to remember his granddad for all the great times together.

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

Sharon -

my thoughts are with you. Since my dad died about eight years ago, every funeral or memorial I attend isn't just a funeral for the person being remembered at that occasion; each time I say hello and good-bye to my Dad all over again.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

You have my most sincere, heartfelt sympathy.

As Steve said, for those of us who have already gone through this, both of my parents the last four years and Jenny's Dad before that after nine years with cancer, each time we hear of another's loss brings back memories of our own departed loved ones. We are all linked together in our compassion.

Cling to the good memories.