TTH--
You loved your father and your grief will always be with you. Eventually you'll get more skilled at handling your aching heart.
Hold your dominion.
Thanks Noddy24
I am trying. I just really believed that I would die before my dad. That is what I always told him since I had so many surgeries and when my right lung started to rip away from my chest wall and the doctor's told me they won't operate until it pushes into the left lung. When that happens I will lose both lungs. So, it is just a matter of time for me. This came from the U of W medical center lung transplant doctors. It wasn't suppose to happen to begin with and they can't find anyone else that this has happened to.
What was so hard with my dad was holding his hand until he died. I never even considered I would ever have to do that. He was aware of what was going on since the staff turned down the pain meds so we could say good bye. It was in the middle of the night when he woke up scared that I told him when they took the life support off I wouldn't leave and I would hold his hand and not let go. I promised him I would not let him die alone. He nodded his head that he understood.
TTH--
You kept your promise. Angels can do no more.
Thanks again Noddy24
Thanks to you too Montana
I appreciate it
Thanks again Montana
Dad
I never told you how much I like this song and how much fun I had at their concert.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFC8sDTXlng&feature=related
Well dad, I got through Thanksgiving. I will try and go to your grave site sometime this week. Mr. C died about a week ago. It was cancer too. He was only sick, that anyone knew of, for a short time. L has liver cancer and I hope he makes it. I know that is wishful thinking since that cancer has no cure. It is so unfair, he is only in his 40's with a wife and kids. Yeah, I know life is unfair but, it doesn't make the hurt go away.
I like this song too
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HU1OaCglgw0&feature=related
To my dad....
My dad would have loved this card. For 24 years I only gave my dad or mom a card with a cat. Hard to find sometimes but, I
always managed to find one for the occasion.
Frank Sinatra My Way
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=G1tGdoA6mCc&feature=related
This will be the first Christmas without my dad. A friend sent this poem to me. I would have showed it to my dad. I don't know who wrote the poem. I didn't alter it or add to it. I did "x" out the name, state and unit # of the person who apparently sent this out over the internet.
A Different Christmas Poem
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right ,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S.service
men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.
LCDR xxx xxxx, xx, USN
xxxx Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum , Iraq.
TTH, take comfort that he's probably having a better time of it than we are. He's at peace. I hope you are okay.
Thanks Mame
I am on my way to the cemetery now. This will be the first time I have been there since the funeral.
OMG
It just started snowing right now as I am writing this post. I can't believe it
I can't remember the last time it snowed on Christmas day.
Pictures I took yesterday at the cemetery. I am so glad my dad is buried here.
a full life
A prayer for you and your family. He's in a better place.
TTH,
I am so very sorry for your loss. What a beautiful thing for you to do. I support our troops completely and thank your father for his service and your entire family for their sacrifice.
God bless you.
Thank you both. My dad saw my dog as a puppy but, she is growing up fast.
Your dad is in a very nice spot TTH.
Your dog is also the cutest little thing :-D
Awwwwwwwwww what a cutie!
Her looks deceive her. She is really smart. It only took me 4 days to train her in obedience and that includes the long stay.
My dad loved my cat too. She is also trained.
My cat & dog are best friends
