Cherish the moments

[slonezp]

For those of you who don't know and care...or don't, dad lost his wife and I lost my mother a little over a month ago. Dad is 80 and having a rough go at it. Took him smallie fishing in Sturgeon Bay 2 weeks ago. Dad has a summer home up there. He's still up there shore fishing. Fathers Day he, myself and my son spend together every year fishing. I talked to him today.  He no longer enjoys fishing alone and will return to Chicago this weekend to fish with myself and my son for Fathers Day.

 

As the title says, cherish the moments. All the fish in the world won't replace what dad is going thru. Spending time with family will make it easier for him.

 

 

[GreenPig]

Sorry for your family's loss. 

[WIGuide]

That's rough man, I'm sorry for your loss and what it's putting your family through. 

[FryDog62]

Good read to help put things in perspective, sorry for you and your family's loss.  I lost my dad on Father's Day 4 years ago and it still stings.  Its a bittersweet holiday coming up.  Good for you for staying close to your dad during what has to be a very difficult transition for him...

[FishinBuck07]

Sorry to hear about your mother, never easy to lose a parent no matter what age you are!  Lost my dad when I was 19 that was 20 years ago, this coming Sunday and as a matter of fact this week is really hard for me, especially this year for some reason!  I have a friend that lost his dad three years after mine, so we spend every Father's day fishing together.  Makes us feel closer to them because that is what we did with them when alive.  Will be saying a prayer for you guys asking for some healing for your family!

[J Francho]

Man, I'm so sorry.  

[gim]

When I was younger, I definitely took for granted that I could golf, hunt, or fish every season with my Father.  He took me fishing regularly.  Now that I have my own boat and he's 67, I almost always take him in my boat instead.  I often pick him up right at his door step and all he has to do is sit in the back of the boat and fish away.  Its a lot less work for him and I honestly think he enjoys it more when he doesn't have to do most of the work involved.

[NYWayfarer]

Sorry for your loss.

 

Glad he will be spending Father's day with you. Make some shelter in place ribs and a couple of vodka Gimlets and enjoy.

[slonezp]

Dad, my son, and myself have spent the last 20 fathers days on the boat. When he told me he no longer enjoyed fishing alone, it floored me. I'm sure it's because he hasn't been alone for 60 years. My sister and I have spent a great deal of time with him the last month. She's and her family are with him now at the summer home. I hope he gets through this ok. I've had him out fishing quite a bit since she passed and his excitement is gone. Almost like he is just going through the motions until it's his time to reunite with mom. It sucks 

[jbmaine]

We are so sorry for your loss. My wife and I both lost our moms this Spring. It just hurts so bad in so many ways. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Spend as much time with your dad as you can, talk to him about anything and everything you can. Remember everything you talk about. To this day I regret not talking to my folks more when I had the chance.

[TnRiver46]

We are praying for y'all. Times are tough but not as tough as your old man. I dont much care for fishing alone either but sometimes it's necessary

[A-Jay]

So Sorry my friend.

A-Jay

[haggard]

2 hours ago, slonezp said:

I hope he gets through this ok. I've had him out fishing quite a bit since she passed and his excitement is gone. Almost like he is just going through the motions until it's his time to reunite with mom.

I don't have a whole lot of experience with this yet but I figure time is an unavoidable part of the process and there's no substitute, not even a great day of fishing. He's so fortunate not only to have family, but family that cares enough to make the effort to spend time with him while he goes through this. The excitement he once had may not come back at the same level, but that doesn't mean he doesn't enjoy it. It's just different.

 

When my aunt passed, a couple months later my uncle described himself as just rattling around the house, as if he was just not into it anymore and waiting to be with her. Until he passed, he still had a smile on his face and savored the time with his children and especially his grandchildren.

 

Wishing all three of you a memorable Fathers Day.

 

[Hammer 4]

Very sorry to hear this, was hoping your Mom would pull through..Prayers sent for you and your family.

[LonnieP]

Sorry for your loss 

[Bankbeater]

I’m sorry for your loss.
My mom passed 15 years ago next month. At first Dad didn’t really want to do anything. I took him fishing one weekend and he snapped out of it and finally said he had a good time and was glad that we got out. 
 

[J._Bricker]

Sorry to hear of your loss @slonezp 

[Mike L]

So so sorry. 
Prayers sent for your entire family. 
 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Log Catcher]

Sorry for your loss. Hopefully in time things will get better for all of you. 

[Ski213]

I’m so sorry for you and your family’s loss. Hopefully with time he will start being able to enjoy himself a little more. I’m sure it’s difficult for all of you but it sounds like you’re doing the best you can to get through it together. I think that’s important. 

[N Florida Mike]

Im sorry for your loss , thanks for sharing it.. My mom passed 3 1/2 years ago. It was the hardest time of my life. I still think of her most every day. I pray for grace and help for you and your dad. It’s fortunate you can still fish with your dad. Mine couldnt the last 20 years of his life or so due  to arthritis in his hands. I have nothing but many pleasant memories of times spent with both of them without a care in the world.  I regret not being a better son, especially to my dad , although I tried .They were the 2 best people Ive ever known.,and I dont  expect that will ever change. 

 

 

[slonezp]

46 minutes ago, N Florida Mike said:

Im sorry for your loss , thanks for sharing it.. My mom passed 3 1/2 years ago. It was the hardest time of my life. I still think of her most every day. I pray for grace and help for you and your dad. It’s fortunate you can still fish with your dad. Mine couldnt the last 20 years of his life or so due  to arthritis in his hands. I have nothing but many pleasant memories of times spent with both of them without a care in the world.  I regret not being a better son, especially to my dad , although I tried .They were the 2 best people Ive ever known.,and I dont  expect that will ever change. 

 

 

Dad's arthritis is horrible. He buys lures to fish with but always fishes live bait. Doesn't other me, but it bothers him. I keep my mouth shut and life goes on. We fished beds in Sturgeon Bay 2 weeks ago. I told him where to cast, every cast he made. He was using live bait. He never stood up. I had polarized glasses on. I instructed him on every cast. Too close...too far...left....right...Didn't bother me. What really gets to me is the lack of emotion. Dad used to land every fish like it was bigger then the last. He had the same enthusiasm if it were a 9" bluegill or a 4lb smallie. It's gone. 

 

Mom will be put in her "cremation niche" after a memorial service, on July 18th. I'm hoping dad will have closure at that time.

[EWREX]

i am very sorry for your loss. no amount of words can ever take the anguish and heartache away from you or your family, but you have to take each day as it is and just like you said, cherish the moments. what you're doing with him is very important, and i'm sure it doesn't go unnoticed.

[Oregon Native]

Lifting....so sorry.  We never know when it's our turn...all the best to you and yours.

[Kelvin]

All the things we worry about don't matter as much as having time for the people who count the most in our lives.  Buy the ticket, take the ride, go anyway, celebrate today with someone bc tomorrow is not promised.