Merry December,though mine isn't....

[catnhatnh]

The hours of our days run on and as a boomer we each receive the news of our impending mortality and messages that say surprise-you're no different. Daddy died last month and today was a service in the town he was best known in Connecticut...I'm 54 years old as of yesterday...by most measurements lucky to lose my first parent at my advanced age. He taught me so many things, from Scot's dialect poetry to splicing a line on a fishing boat. I drank shots with him for my wedding and drove trucks with him for years.He was my Daddy, and then my foe, and then mentor and co-worker. Alzheimer's at the end took him far from his family...a man who seldom set a foot wrong and displayed grace in his dotage...someday soon I will face the same challenge,, and I hope I face it as well....The best laid plans of mice and men gang aft aglee....Daddy, rest well, you were right.

[magellan]

1. I'm so sorry for your loss

Your dad sounds like he was a wonderful father and friend. My condolences.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

2. Condolences and warm vibes catnhatnh

:hug: :cry: :hug:

[riderinthestorm]

3. My deepest sympathy to you and yours. Hope you are surrounded by family and friends tonight

who can comfort you and hold you. Sounds like your dad had a wonderful life....

:hug:

[Ishoutandscream2]

4. My deepest sympathies

[malaise]

5. Deepest sympathy

losing a parent is always hard.

[Breeze54]

6. I'm sorry you lost your Dad, catnhatnh...

I lost my Dad during the holidays too. :( He was rushed to ICU the day after Christmas
and he never left the hospital after that. He died soon after from Legionnaires disease.
I spent New Years in the ICU. :( I lost my Mom to Alzheimer's also. I know my Dad was
in great pain but he kept quiet about it because he didn't want to ruin our holiday. :(

My condolences. :hug:

[Raine]

7. You have my sympathy

I'm in your age group and right now going thru the same thing with my father and know how it will all end, I understand completely. You're in my thoughts. :hug:

[Breeze54]

9. Hugs to you too, Raine

That is a very difficult thing to deal with.

You have my sympathy.

[truedelphi]

8. Sorry for your loss. Please take care of yourself

Be patient and give yourself a lot of breaks.

It is very hard to lose a parent and close friend at any age. And in the middle of the middle years, it can trigger a lot of things.

It never gets easier, does it??

[catnhatnh]

10. Thanks to all...

just a reminder to enjoy what you have left. Unless you die young, Mom and Dad will be gone first. I will miss Dad always and hope to treasure Mom so long as I can...We forget sometimes that they could be gone tomorrow.

[blues90]

11. Sorry for your loss .

I was 40 when my father died , we really never got along , I was 57 when my mother died , she was 88 . At that point I knew and felt an emptyness and that was almost 1 1/2 years ago .

By the way , good wishes for your Birthday even if it sounds out of place .

[catnhatnh]

13. No, it doesn't'

But I am blessed that Mom still lives. I guess I'm really posting to tell folks of our age this is coming down the pike...The whole deal took me by surprise but should not have,

[blues90]

18. Yes I never really thought about getting old

Now that I'm 59 I do . Even more so now that things in this country have changed so much for the worst . Beside our parents generation seemed to live longer than our generation for some odd reason .

I guess somehow when at least my mother was still here I still felt like the child , just having a parent to realte to .

[me b zola]

12. ...

:hug:

[blondeatlast]

14. I'm so sorry. Your dad sounds like a good man. Take care of yourself. nt

[TomInTib]

15. I wish that I had some kind, soothing words right now...

but I simply cannot find them, catnhatnh.

But that was a damned fine thing you wrote.


Tom

[catnhatnh]

16. Thanks, Tommy...

I read and respect your stuff...

[TomInTib]

20. And I thank you, Friend.

That means a lot to me.

As of late, Good Things have been running away from me at the speed of light.

Tom

[snappyturtle]

17. It's so difficult.....five years after losing mine I find some solace in

trying to live as he taught me. My deepest sympathy.

[rockymountaindem]

19. My condolences, may he rest in peace

That is a very nice tribute you've written, btw.

[catnhatnh]

21. A special thanks for putting this on the greatest page...

...which was never intended. Moms and Dads die and we each will suffer through their ends. My Dad was a good and decent person. I could tell tales to make him special, but will not...with a Cummins motor or a recalcitrent son he was a God. Across our country and world, each Mom and Dad are special.

[Whisp]

22. I am sorry for your loss

especially in the way Alzheimers does it.
but he lives on, in you.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

23. Deepest condolences

I lost my dad in a December, very suddenly. You're right, you're lucky to have had yours with you so long. I still miss mine, and my mom even more. Deepest sympathy to you, your mother and the rest of your family.

[Stinky The Clown]

24. "Strafford"

Best to you, My Friend.

[Lugnut]

25. I'm so sorry, cat.

My Daddy is gone 25 years and I still miss him very much. :(