BonnieJeanne

Dear Cowboy Daughter, I am so very sorry for the loss of your precious father. My dad died October 11th, 2010 and he was my best friend my whole life also. He had Alzheimer's and was losing some of himself, but he always knew me and was so happy to be with me. We went walking every Monday and then had lunch for the past 7 years. He called me every year on my birthday and sang Happy Birthday to me. It broke my heart when he could not do it last year cause he was in the hospital. People say "well you had your father for a long time and this is to be expected" I don't know if they say that to you but it makes me so upset. Yes, we all have to lose our parents but it is such a huge loss, and saying that feels like minimizing it to me. I would give anything just to be able to call my father up and hear his sweet voice once more. I go to this site and read other daughter's posts about their fathers and cry periodically and it does help. i don't know why Hospice does not have a Daughters who have lost their Fathers group, they have one for daughters who have lost mothers. I read so many posts from daughters who like you and I are grieving for a dad who was so very important to them their whole lives. Don't feel bad about crying, I do all the time at random moments. He will always be with you in your heart and soul. I try to remember that I carry my dad with me that way and his impact will never be forgotten by my children either. Take care.

Dear Trying2Cope, i am so sorry for the loss of your precious father. I also want so much to hear from my Dad. He died October 11th, 2010 and I count the days as you do. It has been 4 months and I am a bit better but can't think or speak about him without crying. Even though he was very loved, no one in my family was as close to him as I was. He had Alzheimer's and was losing his sense of who people were. But he always knew me. He would say-"You are my number 1!" We walked together every Monday and then had lunch, until he went into the hospital for the last time with pneumonia. I stayed with him all night the day before he died and he was puckering up for kisses the whole day just before he died. The sweetest man who ever lived and I miss him so much. I wish as you do to speak to him or tell him things that have happened just one more time. I have not felt his presence, but every time i woke up in the nights after his death I heard the song Unforgettable, by Natalie Cole singing with her dad Nat King Cole. He was my Dads favorite singer and that song was the last song we danced to at my niece's wedding in June. I hope you will hear from your Dad, I think he is with you always whether he gives you a concrete sign or not.

Aquarius7, My Dad passed away on October 10th, 2010. He was 5 days short of his 87th birthday. He was my best friend and we went walking and had lunch every week. My mom passed away in the summer of 2009 so now they are both gone. No one in my family seems to understand how much I him him/them and they act as if I have a problem that I am grieving so much. They are kind but ask how I am doing as if it is strange that it should be so difficult since they were both elderly and what would I expect? My Dad was such a huge presence in all family gatherings that it is not the same anymore. I feel the way you do--wish I could just skip the celebrations-they don't mean anything anymore without him there. I am so sorry for your loss--I know just how you feel.