16 years ago today my Dad passed away

@Happy2BeMe (99426)
Canada
October 25, 2016 8:00am CST
I wrote about my Dad not too long ago. It was 16 years ago today that he passed away. I will never forget that shocking phone call I received at work that morning. It was so unexpected and I was not prepared to hear what I heard over the phone that morning. My life changed forever on that morning of October 25, 2000. There is not a day goes by that I don't think of Dad. As I mentioned in other one of my post he was a wonderful Dad. I couldn't have asked for better. I remember the last time I visited with him. We had just gotten back from nephew's wedding in Ontario. We dropped Mom off and we were headed back home. I stopped in for a bit to talked to him before we left. When I was leaving, I hugged him and kissed him on the cheek and said "I love you. I will see you at Christmas." I will never ever forget those words he said to me then. He said "I won't be here at Christmas but you make sure you come see your Mother." I thought at the time that it was an odd thing to say but I kind of laughed it off. Dad had talked a lot about dying in the months prior to his death and he did a lot of little things then that I look back on now and it makes me wonder. At the time I figured it was because a lot of people my parent knew had passed away around that time. I figured he was just thinking about how quickly your life can end. I wish now I had taken his words more seriously. I don't know how but he knew his life would soon be over. He knew he would never see us again after that day. If I had known that was going to be the last time I seen him I never would have left that day, I would have stayed and made the most of the last week of his life. One week to the day after I left I got the call that he was gone. I was crushed. He was only 68. He passed away in his sleep. Mom and Dad were always there for me no matter what. So many times I wish I could pick up the phone and ask for their advice or to just hear this voices one more time. I take comfort knowing they are together but it hurts not having them here. Life sure is different without them. For those of you who still have your parent(s) with you. Treasure every moment you have with them but when they are gone you will have an ache in your heart that will never go away, a longing to have just one more moment, one more day!
22 people like this
21 responses
@1creekgirl (40184)
• United States
25 Oct 16
My heart breaks for you, dear friend. I'm glad you have wonderful memories of your parents.
3 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
25 Oct 16
Thank you Vicki! They gave us a wonderful life.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48236)
• Canada
25 Oct 16
I'm sorry that your Dad has passed, mine has too. Its something that he knew that his time was near. My Dad went to see another farmer, a friend of his one day. They share the same birthday and it was approaching May 2nd, their birthday. And his friend asked my Dad how he was, and my Dad looked at him and said Marcel I'm dying. Marcel just looked at my Dad and listened to the little bit that he said following that on that topic, but told his daughter, who is a friend of mine also, and she seemed more bothered by it then he was. She's an RN who worked at the hospital that my Dad was in the last 2 weeks of his life, and she was able to use her influence to make sure that he was well cared for. There must be a special place in heaven for Daddy's little girls like us who mourn their loss all of these years later, hugs my friend.
2 people like this
@Juliaacv (48236)
• Canada
26 Oct 16
2 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
26 Oct 16
Thank you my friend. Sorry about your Dad too. It is hard to lose them. Hugs back.
2 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
26 Oct 16
@Juliaacv you are welcome!
1 person likes this
@hora_fugit (5862)
• India
26 Oct 16
Your words are so true....it's been seven months for me.
1 person likes this
• India
27 Oct 16
@Happy2BeMe and Thanks
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
27 Oct 16
So very sorry for your loss.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
27 Oct 16
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19706)
• India
26 Oct 16
@Happy2BeMe No,I do not have my parents.You have expressed the sadness of missing your parents nicely.
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19706)
• India
26 Oct 16
@Happy2BeMe You are welcome.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
26 Oct 16
Thank you
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
26 Oct 16
I still have my mom, at least her body is still here but I lost my dad in 1984 and I still miss him. I know the pain you are feeling, it is hard losing your parents.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
26 Oct 16
@Happy2BeMe Beyond just the loss, now we are the older generation and we know where that is going to end!!
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
26 Oct 16
@BelleStarr yes we do.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
26 Oct 16
Yes it really is.
1 person likes this
@Jenning (2016)
• Nigeria
26 Oct 16
I'm so sorry about that. Just take courage. More Grace on you...
1 person likes this
@Jenning (2016)
• Nigeria
26 Oct 16
@Happy2BeMe All thanks be unto our GOD!
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
26 Oct 16
Thank you!
1 person likes this
@quantum2020 (12040)
• Ciudad De Mexico, Mexico
25 Oct 16
Your Dad must have been a wondrful person. THis story reminded me of the time I lost my own Dad. It was a touching to the heart event
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
26 Oct 16
He really was. Sorry for the loss of your Dad.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
26 Oct 16
What a beautifully written post. It must be a comfort to you to know that he passed away in his sleep - that's the best way to go. I agree that we should cherish our loved ones while we have the chance, and make sure that they know that we do.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
26 Oct 16
Yes he didn't suffer. He went peacefully but so hard when it is unexpected like that.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Oct 16
I certainly understand. I didn't believe it when my mother told me she was dying. The same with my daddy. They've been gone a lot longer than your parents, and I still think of them and pray for them every day. The hole in my heart hasn't gotten any smaller. I'm sure your parents are looking down from Heaven and want you to be happy. Giant hugs to you on this sad day.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
26 Oct 16
Thank you Dianne that means a lot. We will always miss them no matter how many years pass. Hugs back
1 person likes this
@just4him (303377)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
25 Oct 16
You have some fond memories of your father. That's wonderful. I'm so sorry for your loss.
1 person likes this
@just4him (303377)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
26 Oct 16
@Happy2BeMe He souds like it.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
26 Oct 16
Thanks..there are many. He was the best.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116876)
• Anniston, Alabama
26 Oct 16
My old people, well the man told me the that would be his last Christmas. I knew he had a spot on his lung but he did not tell everyone it was full blown lung cancer.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
26 Oct 16
That is so sad.
26 Oct 16
Your father is alive in your deeply heart always, he wants you a happy life, may all the best will be around u
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
26 Oct 16
thank you!
@jennyjoy (1961)
• Bangalore, India
26 Oct 16
Your loss is felt in the way express yourself.it is impossible to forget our parents,those were the best years. May his soul rest in peace.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
26 Oct 16
Yes they certainly were. Thank you!
1 person likes this
• Chenzhou, China
26 Oct 16
Go home often and feel the love of family, life will be more beautiful.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
26 Oct 16
I visit family when I get a chance but it is just not the same as going home and visiting with mom and dad.
1 person likes this
@Jackalyn (7560)
• Oxford, England
25 Oct 16
It sounds like you had wonderful parents and I can understand you missing and wanting to remember them.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
25 Oct 16
Thank you..they were the best!
@CinnamonGrl (7083)
• Santa Fe, New Mexico
25 Oct 16
Wow, it does sound like your dad had a premonition. I still have my mama and daddy at 96 and 98. Unfortunately my dad had to go to a nursing home at the beginning of the summer. He needs more care than we could give him at home anymore. But I live with mama and she is still in relatively good shape. I'm so sorry you lost your dad at such a young age. My kids lost their dad five years ago to gastric cancer, he was 61.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
26 Oct 16
You are so blessed to still have your parents with you. Sorry your kids lost their Dad at such a young age.
@Tampa_girl7 (48855)
• United States
25 Oct 16
He was taken so young. So sorry that you lost him. I am so aware with every visit I have with mine that it could be the last. They both have health issues.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
25 Oct 16
Treasure every moment! Parents are so special.
2 people like this
@franxav (13583)
• India
25 Oct 16
Like you I lost my parents about 16 years ago and I understand and undergo the experience you've written about.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
25 Oct 16
I am sorry for you loss as well. Parents are special and you never truly understand how difficult it is until you experience such a loss.
@Dena91 (15772)
• United States
25 Oct 16
Wonderful memories of your parents. My Dad said something similar to me before he passed too. He said he wouldn't be here much longer. I asked him why he thought that and he said he just knows. I cried and hugged him, not knowing in a few months he'd be gone. Thanks for sharing. Hope that you have a blessed day and you have comfort.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
25 Oct 16
Thank you Dena. It is funny how they know like that. I have heard many people speak of similar things happening.
1 person likes this
@SophieY (891)
• South Africa
25 Oct 16
I suppose it feels like yesterday
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
25 Oct 16
Yes it does. The times as passed by so quickly.
1 person likes this