I wasn't going to say anything...

[The Unabasser]

but its almost been a week now and I feel that I'm in a good place in my heart to post....my Dad passed last Sunday afternoon just minutes before we were to sit down for Easter Dinner...wow that was tough...

He was a good man and we will miss him greatly...he was very sick for a long time and I'm sure he is feeling much better now...We said our goodbyes last summer when I went to visit...we spent as much time together just sitting and chatting when he was able...he said to me when I was leaving that he didn't think he would see me again...I told him I would be back this summer but it was not to be...

William Johnston

http://monkfuneralhome.com/current.asp

[Hookemdown.]

Just keep hanging in there unabasser.  I know how it feels to lose a loved one.

Your in my prayers,

Hookemdown

[RecMar8541]

God Bless him, you and yours.  You will be in our prayers here!

Recon and Erica

[MALTESE FALCON]

So sorry to hear of your loss. I lost my dad sixteen years ago, and I still miss him. The one thing I have is all my memories of him and I fishing and working together. He was one person who could make work fun.

Always remember the good times and that's what will get you through this time.

God Bless,

Falcon

[Grey Wolf]

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. My dad died 40 years ago but he's with me in my heart all the time.

Memories are a great thing.

[John J.]

Just keep hanging in there unabasser. I know how it feels to lose a loved one.

Your in my prayers,

Hookemdown

Same here bud!

I lost my grandma right after New Years of 2001, she had a heart attack on the way to my aunts house in Georgia (they were leaving our house to head back after new years). It tore me apart! I loved my grandma soooo much! I wish I had the opportunity to tell her how much I love her and that she will always be in my heart... :-[ :-/

Times like this is tough...but you and your family unabasser will always be in my prayers!   8-)

God bless to you and yours!  

[Troutfisher]

Very sorry, and will pray.  

[RottManK9]

I'm sorry to hear of your loss.  Please know you and your family are in my family's thoughts and prayers.

Jon

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

We are with you in spirit buddy, so sorry for your loss.  He obviously died a loved man.

[RecMar8541]

I am sorry to hear about the passing of your dad.  It really made me think.  My dad is up in Indiana, and solely responsible for my fishing fanatic ways.  I rarely speak to him, and over the years we have grown apart.  Well I guess your post just made me think about how much time I am wasting.  I gave my pops a call, and am flying him down here for 2 weeks of fishing and catching up.

In your post it says you werent going to say anything...Brother I am glad you did.

Just goes to show you that you never know how something will effect someone.  

I wish you and your family the very best, and would like to offer my thanks for opening my eyes.

Recon

[The Unabasser]

Thanks for your nice thoughts and prayers...it is much appreciated.

Recon...I'm happy that my post got you to call your Dad and set up a visit. I encourage everyone to pick up the phone and call or go have a visit if you can with your loved ones.

[Cigarlover 1]

Unabasser,

So sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Just remember he's in a better place having a grand time.  

[Claude]

Very sorry to hear about your Dad. The only comfort one can really offer is that he is in a much better place, a place of no pains, & of no sorrows.

This is the Easter Homily, of my churchs father among the saints, Saint John Chrysostom:

If anyone is devout and a lover of God, let him enjoy this beautiful and radiant festival.

If anyone is a wise servant, let him, rejoicing, enter into the joy of his Lord.

If anyone has wearied himself in fasting, let him now receive his recompense.

If anyone has labored from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward. If anyone has come at the third hour, with thanksgiving let him keep the feast. If anyone has arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; for he shall suffer no loss. If anyone has delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near without hesitation. If anyone has arrived even at the eleventh hour, let him not fear on account of his delay. For the Master is gracious and receives the last, even as the first; he gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, just as to him who has labored from the first. He has mercy upon the last and cares for the first; to the one he gives, and to the other he is gracious. He both honors the work and praises the intention.

Enter all of you, therefore, into the joy of our Lord, and, whether first or last, receive your reward. O rich and poor, one with another, dance for joy! O you ascetics and you negligent, celebrate the day! You that have fasted and you that have disregarded the fast, rejoice today! The table is rich-laden; feast royally, all of you! The calf is fatted; let no one go forth hungry!

Let all partake of the feast of faith. Let all receive the riches of goodness.

Let no one lament his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed.

Let no one mourn his transgressions, for pardon has dawned from the grave.

Let no one fear death, for the Saviour's death has set us free.

He that was taken by death has annihilated it! He descended into hades and took hades captive! He embittered it when it tasted his flesh! And anticipating this Isaiah exclaimed, "Hades was embittered when it encountered thee in the lower regions." It was embittered, for it was abolished! It was embittered, for it was mocked! It was embittered, for it was purged! It was embittered, for it was despoiled! It was embittered, for it was bound in chains!

It took a body and, face to face, met God! It took earth and encountered heaven! It took what it saw but crumbled before what it had not seen!

"O death, where is thy sting? O hades, where is thy victory?"

Christ is risen, and you are overthrown!

Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!

Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!

Christ is risen, and life reigns!

Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in a tomb!

For Christ, being raised from the dead, has become the First-fruits of them that slept.

To him be glory and might unto ages of ages. Amen.

[fishbear]

Unabasser,

I lost my dad 13 yrs. ago.  It seems like yesterday.  He had become my best friend, my fishing and hunting partner.   I still miss him something fierce.  

However, he is in a better place, and I know that.   The pain will ease over time, I promise.   Just think about the good times, the vacations, the backyard family barbeques, working on your first car,  etc.....

It does help.   So does prayer.  

God Bless you and your family going through this trying time.  I will say a prayer for you, that God will help ease the pain.

[frogtog]

Unabasser my prayers are with you and your family.

[skillet]

 Was with my Dad when he had the heart attack that took him,so hopefully you won't mind me saying I

know some of the feelings you're going thru. My thoughts go with and your family...

                                                     As Ever,

                                                      Skillet

[.ghoti.]

Recon, I know exactly what you mean. My Dad and I went through a very long period of no-speak. A typical conversation was

" How ya doin'?. "OK" Repeat. End of conversation. Repeat at next year's meeting. It was two hard-headed SOB's agreeing to be hard-headed SOB's. I won't go into all the details, but we eventually patched things up, and got together several times a year for about 7 or 8 years. We had some good times. He's now in a nursing home living out his last days. About all that can be done for him is to feed him and make him comfortable. He has no idea who I am. I just visited him for Easter, and for about 30 seconds, I think he recognized me. At least I prefer to think of it that way. He's not dead yet, but, effectively he's gone and I miss him just the same.

All I can think now is how many years we wasted being stupid. Really wasted, really stupid. I try to not dwell on the lost years, and focus on the few good ones we had.

I have to quit this now.

GK