Whatever you do... love

[fascisthunter]

I know this is an odd post of sorts, but you will begin to understand why I said what I did above. My father passed today suddenly. After picking my mother up from work, we both came home, unpacked some groceries, took off our coats, and then I decided to check in on my father who had been fighting a malignant brain tumor for six months. I opened his door, and there he lay motionless...

There have been countless times this past six months, that I would check up on him daily, when he would just lay with his eyes closed, and I would stare at his chest to make sure he was still breathing, almost as if I was subconsciously preparing my self for the inevitable. Well, this time, he wasn't breathing, yet his eyes were wide open. It never happens the way you anticipate... then again, not much in life or death does.

He was a gentle, kind, trustworthy man who worked his whole life, served this country and well, tried not to complain, asked for very little. We, his kids and my mother, were all that mattered to him. He was a good democrat who escaped communism as a child. He understood very well what it meant to be free, and what it meant to have honor as well as compassion.

I now know where I get my traits from, and so in a way, he lives on in me... I even copied a nickname he had given to his own dad, Macaroon. I too called my father the same thing.

So whatever you do, love, because life is very short. Never ever let anyone tell you, that your principles and honor are handicaps or that you are too idealistic... be yourself, and love others. I know I will... and hopefully I will be a portion of the man he was. That would make me proud, because he was a very good man.

So, good bye Macaroon, to the rest of you, good night.

[The Straight Story]

1. Sorry to hear this my friend - and a kick for you

If you need to just talk sometime, shoot me a PM. Lost my mom in 2004 and know how hard it can be.

[cynatnite]

2. My condolences...

Your tribute to him is very moving.

[applegrove]

3. So sorry.

[jaxx]

4. I am so sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[Dappleganger]

5. I am so sorry to hear this...

nothing hits you like the passing of a parent. I'm still struggling with the loss of my mother even from two years ago.

:hug:

[RagAss]

6. I'm sorry for your loss.

Beautiful post.

[samplegirl]

What a beautiful tribute to your dear dad

and I'm sure a part of him will live on daily through you. How beautiful.

My deepest sympathy to you and your mother.

May your father have peace.

[my2sense]

7. Sorry to hear about your loss

It sounds like you had a wonderful, loving father. May he rest in peace.

[HipChick]

8. Sorry for your loss...

[LakeSamish706]

9. I'm very sorry for your loss, even though your father was terminal it doesn't

make losing a loved one any easier when the time comes. Someone just the other day said to me that we will all be required to make that walk one day, and that doesn't seem to make it easier either. I hope that you have many loved ones around to help with this loss.

[me b zola]

10. My condolences on your loss

:hug:

[cilla4progress]

11. What a beautiful post, and reminder,

I'm so sorry for your loss. Take care.

[gimama]

12. thank YOU for sharing this..

& YOU ~ & Your Dad~ are absolutely RIGHT..
"What EVER YOU DO..LOVE"!
YOU learned some mighty Lessons, from Your Dad..
A BEAUTIFUL Tribute to BOTH of You.
Sending YOU & Yours Love & Light~===]

[wtmusic]

13. Your tribute brings tears to my eyes.

Thanks for sharing. :thumbsup:

[Wilms]

14. Thanks for hooking us up.

:hug:

[patrice]

15. We will see our Loved Ones again, fascisthunter.

Om namah Shivaya!

:hug:

[seabeyond]

16. thank you. what an awesome tribute to your father

i appreciate hearing it. something for us all to take to heart.

take care of you and yours.

[DesertRat]

17. I'm sorry for your loss

:hug:

[Skittles]

18. so sorry

good night Macaroon

[Lex]

19. Beautiful tribute to your father.

My condolences to you, and all of us in this world, for the loss of your father.

[EFerrari]

20. My dear friend. I'm so sorry for your loss.

I went through ten years of checking on my grandmother in her little bedroom. It is like practice but it's never enough practice.

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

21. Love is always the great answer...

I am very sorry to hear about your beloved dad Macaroon...

Safe passage to him...

May your precious memories soon help you recover from this loss...

:hug:

[abq e streeter]

22. Thank you for your generosity in sharing this...may his soul rest in peace

and may you and your family heal from your sadness with each others' love and support.

[Greyhound]

23. So sorry for your loss.

Take care and we'll see you soon.

[laughingliberal]

24. So sorry. Thank you for sharing your Dad's ideals with us here.

:cry:

[grahamhgreen]

25. Thank you

[inna]

26. My deepest condolences...

:hug: :grouphug:

[The Midway Rebel]

27. Condolences n/t

[dana_b]

28. my condolences

you have a beautiful way of speaking about your father. That is love.

[renate]

29. I am so sorry

He sounds like such a sweet and wonderful man. I would be so proud if my kids think of me the way that you think of him.

:hug:

It sounds like his passing was gentle. I hope you and your mother feel okay about the fact that he died while he was alone. If you read much about hospice, or about death and dying, you'll find that very often people will die, almost as if it's on purpose, while their loved ones are out of the room for just a minute, even after a vigil of hours to days... and that they tend to be the kind of nurturing, caregiving, unassuming types who want to spare their loved ones the pain of seeing their deaths. And from the way you describe him, as a loving man whose family came first, I wonder whether that might have been the case with him. No matter what, it sounds like his death was easeful.

I am so sorry for your loss.

:cry:

[fascisthunter]

33. yes... that sounds very much like him

thank you so much... I did not know this, and yes, I was up late last night thinking about his last lonely moments.

[Berry Cool]

30. I'm so sorry, fascisthunter.

My condolences to you and to all who loved your father.

[roguevalley]

31. I am so sorry. I wish I could hug you. You might want to tattoo that

name on your arm. My nephew tattooed a huge anchor on his back, my dad's name and his birth and death dates. I am going to get a tiny hummingbird for him and a tiny cardinal for my mother this summer. When you see it, it will comfort you. Your dad sounded like mine, a hero, an everyman, the backbone of this country. I wish only love back to you, my dear. I wish you peace.

[Judi Lynn]

32. You were lucky to have a father with strong, deep character. Not too many people can say that.

It's not surprising to learn your own father was an exceptional person. Your own values have distinguished you here from the very first.

Your friends, well-wishers will be thinking of and hoping for the best after this passage in your life. It surely sounds as if you are transforming your pain into positive energy.

Thank you for your reaching out to those who have followed your comments, appreciated your presence for a long time.

[nolabear]

34. Here's to Macaroon. What a good legacy love is.

Sorry for your loss but glad your dad raised you this way.

[fascisthunter]

35. thank you all, I won't forget your kindness

[Eyerish]

36. My deepest condolences fascisthunter...

Peace to You and your family....:hug:

[The Genealogist]

37. Does anything hurt more emotionally than losing a beloved parent?

It is rough, painful, and takes time to recover and realign yourself in the world when you loose a beloved parent. Please...if you do anything, please do all you can to pamper yourself. Take care of your mother, and tell her you love her dearly, every time you get a chance to. And, bask in the warm glow of memories of the good times with your father!

:hug:

[EFerrari]

38. .

[myrna minx]

39. I am so sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[Solomon]

40. Made me cry. I have elderly parents who are still here.

I feel guilty alot because there are times when I don't want to be bothered and I know how I'm going to feel when they're gone.

Peace to you, and thank you.

[gmoney]

41. So sorry for your loss...

:hug:

[yellerpup]

42. His son is a good man, too.

So sorry for your loss.

[polly7]

43. I'm so sorry.

Strength and loving memories to you and yours.

[Bluerthanblue]

44. thank you...

for thinking of others even in your grief.

Your reminder of how fleeting and fragile our lives really are- and what is truly important is beautiful and sadly, ones we need to remember.

sending you and your family wishes for comfort, peace and healing~

blu

[reflection]

45. I know how you feel

and I'm real sorry for the pain you're feeling right now.

[malaise]

46. Deepest sympathy to you and your family fascisthunter

In time your pain will be replaced by beautiful memories of time spent with your dad. :cry: :grouphug:

[timtom]

47. This has brought tears to my eyes.

Not for any loss of mine, but for your loss.

And your gentleness.

Thank you.

[Mnemosyne]

48. I am so terribly sorry for the loss of your Dad, fh.

:hug:

[Uncle Joe]

49. I'm sorry for your loss but happy for the enrichment, your father gave you.

Peace to you, fascisthunter.:hug:

[OneGrassRoot]

50. Bless you...

for sharing such a wonderful tribute. My sincere condolences on the passing of your father.

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[Starry Messenger]

51. .

[Delphinus]

52. Thank you for such a poignant reminder.

My condolences to you and your family. May your Father rest in peace.

[babylonsister]

53. What a lovely tribute; your dad is proud of you, and I just know

he loves you as much as you do him. That will never change. :hug:

[TeeYiYi]

54. I am so sorry for your loss.

What a beautiful tribute to your father.

TYY :hug:

[Synnical]

55. Ditto That

I lost a good friend yesterday to cancer. She was 54. Too young to die. I remember telling her I loved her the last time I saw her.

-Cindy in Fort Lauderdale
:cry:

[amborin]

56. i'm sorry for your loss

he sounded like a wonderful man; you were lucky to have him for a father

[Lyric]

57. *hugs* I'm so sorry.

[EFerrari]

58. .