Prayer request for my mom; my dad died yesterday

[grannylib]

Some of you may recall that I had asked your prayers for my parents when daddy was diagnosed with bone cancer just before Thanksgiving; he died peacefully at home with my mom, my brother and I all with him, just as he had wanted - no hospital, no life support, no hospice.
I am so thankful for the prayers/thoughts/good wishes/karma that were sent at that time; it really meant a lot to me! If those of you who are so inclined would be so kind as to keep my mom in mind, I would appreciate it. She is a tough cookie and is hanging in there pretty well, but at 82 and in ill health herself, this is bound to be tough on her.

I always thought my dad was Superman. His values were faith, love, family, education, tolerance, forgiveness, humility...
He was supportive and encouraging, loving and strong, accepting and embracing of all people. "It's about love, honey, not judgment..." If he said it once, he said it a hundred times. That's what Christianity meant to him: grace, love, forgiveness. (And yes, he was a Democrat! He felt just as I do: Christianity and Republicanism are mutually exclusive...)
He was a minister, a husband of 58 years (and nuts about my mom to the very end), a golfer, fisherman, birdwatcher and antique collector. He had 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, and was the best father any child could hope for.
Be at peace, Daddy...I love you and will miss you always in this life, but will see you in the next -

[gate of the sun]

1. i'm sorry

my thoughts are with you and your Mother. It sounded like you had a wonderful Father how lucky you are. I'll be thinking of you.

[proud patriot]

2. Sending strength and love to your family and your mom

:loveya:

[hussar]

3. My thoughts are with you

Have been through this myself and feel for you

[Limbought]

4. I'm very sorry for your loss.

[bobthedrummer]

5. I pray for strength for your family

at this time, especially for your mom.

[Kat45]

6. I'll pray for your mom to stay strong

You will be there for her to help her through. As sad as it was losing your dad, you all can feel some joy in the fact that he went the way he wanted to, surrounded by his loved ones--the most wonderful way to send someone from this world to the next. And that he is now joyfully in the presence of the Lord. Amen and amen.

[zbird]

7. What a lovely tribute to your father.

My thoughts are with you and your family.

[mvd]

8. Very sorry

I'll send a prayer out for your mom. And your thoughts on your dad are very touching.

[dolo amber]

9. So sorry, grannylib

:hug: for you and your family.

He sounds like a wonderful man. :)

[CO Liberal]

10. (((((grannylib)))))

Here's a cyber-hug for you and your entire family. Your dad reminds me of my dad. He's been gone for 12 years now, and I still miss him....

[ugarte]

11. There are many Christians here

and it upsets me no end that Republicans have somehow painted themselves as God's chosen ones. Most of my all-time heroes are Christians/Democrats: Dr. King, the Berrigan brothers, Dorothy Day, Jimmy Carter, Jesse Jackson...

...and people like your father. God bless.

[area51]

12. grannylib

I'm so sorry for your loss of your father; you and your family are in my thoughts.

[salin]

13. Prayers of condolence and strength to your Mom

and wishes that the warm loving emotions you have expressed in your description of your courageous father bring you comfort as the waves of mourning sweep over you.

[Nashyra]

15. My thoughts and prayers to you and your mom

Your dad sounded like a wonderful man. I'll pray for peace for your mom.

[Rowdyboy]

14. You have them...The loss of a parent is an awesome experience

God bless you

[scucci]

16. Many good thoughts for your Dad & Mom...

What a horrible loss. I'm so sorry.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

17. My prayers and condolences for you and your mom

For the courage to let him go the way he wanted, for the strength to carry on and so that the grief may pass. (((((((((((HUGS)))))))))

[Bonobo]

18. My best thoughts to you. You will make it through and be happy again.

[Rabrrrrrr]

19. Prayers to your mom - and to you!

And the rest of the family.

I'm sorry to hear of your dad's death.

[Cleita]

20. So sorry grannylib.

My mom died of bone cancer too. Give your mom a big hug for me. May he be in a good place now.

[NightTrain]

21. You have my empathy

January 10th was the sixth anniversary of my dad's passing. And, though it's hard for me to believe, January 31st will be a full decade since I lost my mom.

In other words: been there, done that. And it blows. My heart truly goes out to you and your loved ones! :hug:

[kimchi]

22. Prayers on the way, grannylib.

I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. Hang onto your mom: you will need each other. And give her a big hug from all of us at DU.

[BlackVelvetElvis]

23. What a great tribute to your father!

My thoughts are with you and your mother and your family.

[calimary]

24. I am so sorry to hear that.

What a sweet guy.

If it's ANY comfort at all to you, so worried about your mom, I offer this: my dad died four years ago this month. Thus ended a 60-plus year marriage. He just reached 83 - not that he was aware of this. He was pretty much comatose in the last week or so, and he died three days after his birthday. About a year ago, my mom (who's not exactly an Olympic gymnast - she has a bad heart and just had a pacemaker put in) started striking up a conversation with this nice elderly gentleman who always sat at the opposite end of the same pew in church that she did, every Sunday at the same Mass. Soon enough, they were inching closer together while seated. It started with a small hand squeeze at the end of the Our Father. Shortly thereafter, they worked their way up to his walking her to her car afterwards. Then it was going out to brunch after Mass. By now, he's more or less moved in with her and has proposed several times. She doesn't ever want to get married again, but that doesn't dim his affections. He's the nicest man, widowed for about the same length of time as my mom. She's 87 now. He's 83. They shuffle along together and bicker and cuddle and hold hands. She's a new woman.

I know this will likely ring rather hollow right now. Having been through the loss of my dad, I can empathize somewhat, although every loss is a unique heartache. You are in my prayers. Make sure you keep some of his precious things. Treasure and protect your photos - maybe have them transfered to disc, just for safe-keeping and for back-up. Sometime when you're at your computer, write down your thoughts, your memories, your feelings, your sorrows, your angers, your denials, all the bittersweet stuff. Keep a journal. And be gentle with yourself and your mom, and the rest of your family. You will all need and help each other in the weeks and months ahead. He's probably already got a job up there, by now. They'll have assigned him to be your newest guardian angel, no doubt. He's not far away.

I talk to my dad every day. Only, this time we don't get into arguments and he can't interrupt me! By the way - this may seem trivial or silly or something, but, it actually HAS kept me warm on emotionally chilly days: I was watching Larry King one night when a lady by the name of Sylvia Earle was on. I think that was she. Anyway, she's a woman who has a gift for sensing and communicating with those on the other side. She had some uncanny things to say, especially to callers. One of them asked her if the dead give signals to the living. She said they did, and added that, for example, sometimes they throw money. Like when you find a penny on the ground or something. Chances are somebody left that for you. I didn't think about it for awhile, until a few weeks later, when I realized that I had noticed, and had been picking up, pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and even an occasional dollar bill, on the ground, sidewalks, curbs, several times a week, just since my dad died. It happens to me all the time - no exaggeration. It happened as recently as yesterday. Yes, it could be superstition. Yes, it certainly could be just a whole lotta coincidence. But every time I stoop to pick up some coin I just spotted, I smile to myself and say "thanks, dad!" When my daughter's with me, she always says "thanks, Apa!"

And then again, you console yourself where and how you can...

My prayers are with you, for certain. And so is your dad.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

25. Peace to you and your family...

I'm sorry for your loss, and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
:hug:

[scarlet_owl]

26. Sending out prayers and love to you and your family.

Peace be with you all.

[Rhiannon12866]

27. I am so sorry. I have lost my dad, as well, and know how hard this is

He also died of cancer. I will be thinking of you, your mom, and the rest of your family. I lost my dad between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so have been thinking of him on the anniversary, and will keep you all in my thoughts, as well. Yours was a lovely tribute. I do understand.;(

[Bunny]

28. You have my deepest sympathy.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[buddhamama]

29. my sincere condolences

to you and the family.

May your Father be at Peace

sending loving, supportive vibes to you all.
i will light a candle in His memory
and for strength and healing for those who'll miss your Dad's presence here on earth.

peace and love, Rachel :hug:

[blondeatlast]

30. May God grant you peace, strength, and comfort.

He sounds like a wonderful man. My dad is there and it sounds like they will get along fine; same ideals, same love of golf. Let's hope they can get together!

:hug:

[Lars39]

31. So sorry , grannylib.

He sounds like he was a wonderful father/man. Best wishes for you and your mom. Take care. :hug:

[areschild]

32. I'm so sorry for your loss.

A man with the values and attributes of your father IS Superman. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

[Whitacre D_WI]

33. I'm very sorry to hear that, GL.

Take care, okay?

[commander bunnypants]

34. You will see him again one day

among the stars. Sebastian Cattbutt will keep him company....


DDQM

[Liberal Christian]

35. Condolences

I'm sorry for your loss. May light eternal shine upon him.

Wyo

[Cuban_Liberal]

36. May God comfort you all in your loss.

I'm terribly sorry to hear about your Dad's death. Please know that you and your entire family will be in our prayers, and may god grant your father eternal rest, peace, joy and light.

:hug:

[terrya]

37. Oh, my God. I'm so sorry. My thoughts and condolences are with you.

I lost my Dad to cancer last year. I thought he was Superman, as well. It was heartbreaking to how cancer ravaged him.

My prayers are with you also, grannylib

Terry

[myrna minx]

38. Earth hath no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.

-Thomas Moore

My thoughts are with your family.

[latebloomer]

39. Love and light to you and your family

How very lucky you were to have such an amazing dad, and for so many years!

But that doesn't erase how much you miss him.

[Raven]

40. I am so sorry for your loss.

My father passed away fairly suddenly three years ago at age 88. My mother was devistated. They were married for over 60 years and were very close. My mother had a very difficult year the first year after his death. She was hospitalized twice and I really thought we would lose her too. My family surrounded her. We made her get out and do things. We made sure one of us had dinner with her each night since that seemed to be the lonliest time for her. She made it through and is doing pretty well now. My advice to you is to watch your mother's health carefully, try to be with her as much as you can and don't be afraid to talk about your wonderful father with her. You have my prayers.

[Mikimouse]

41. My condolences on your loss...

sounds like your Dad was a terrific guy. Hugs from all of us.:hug:

[snobird]

42. Prayers and Strength..

for you and your family..Your Dad would have been proud to read your tribute to him . God Bless:hug:

[snobird]

43. Prayers and Strength..

for you and your family..Your Dad would have been proud to read your tribute to him . God Bless:hug: