Thank you to you all for the cards, messages and love shown to me during my father’s illness and in the aftermath of losing him to cancer.
While having my own children certainly makes me realize how grateful I am for a wonderful, carefree childhood I never realized just how much my Dad sacrificed for my brother and me.
Dad worked as a chemical salesman and some of those guys moved … a lot and for a lot of money. Not us. Dad didn’t want to leave his mama, his friends or his community that he’d lived in since birth. And he wanted to instill that same sense of community and place in us – he succeeded quite well.
We didn’t spend vacations simply chilling out on the beach. Mom and Dad took us to educational, fun spots with lots of activities for children. He always cared about what we were learning and wanted to expose us to as much as possible.
Dad showed us that a family isn’t made up of who lives in your house. He coached teeball and baseball for years and years. Dad took just as much time and effort to teach those young men how to have respect for themselves, self-discipline and how to behave like gentlemen… on and off the field. Their memories of my father are priceless to me.
I will miss him more than I can describe. Yesterday I pretty much had a Hope Floats moment… you know that movie where Sandra Bullock loses her mom and goes into her closet, smells her mom’s clothes and breaks down? I did that. I picked up my Dad’s shirt and only had tears in my eyes until my middle daughter cried, “Mama, these smell like Grandad!”… then I lost it. I can’t believe he is gone and I can’t believe that the cancer took over his body so quickly. We only had four months with him after his cancer was discovered. It’s a vicious, horrible disease that rips apart too many families.
My mother, my girls, my husband and I are just beginning the healing process but we have the very best role model on how to overcome obstacles and how to hold on to each other and cherish the time we all have together.
I love my Dad.
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23 comments
You did a great job on this, I know it wasn’t easy, but I think he would have liked it.
Jennifer wonderful post and those pictures will be cherished forever. I hope you got your card.
I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. I too had a wonderful Dad that I lost 20 years ago and the memories still come back at the strangest times. Some little thing just makes him so real to me all over again. I am glad I have only good memories as many adults never knew the good life with there Dads, good times were few or not at all. My husband cannot remember one good memory with his Dad, that is sad.
Great tear jerker of a post for your dad!!! As I lost my father 20 years ago to cancer also I understand the great loss in your life. Treasure all the moments you were blessed to share together!
Hugs!
Hi, What a wonderful tribute to your Dad. I am sorry for your loss. Julie
What a wonderful post. I know how you feel. I often reflect on all of the lessons my mom taught me in the short 23 years I had her. I realize now just how much she sacrificed for me and the love she had for me. Your dad will always be with you in your memories – I hope they will sustain you and make you smile.
Girl, this made me cry.
I lost my Dad 3 years ago, to cancer.
I can definitely feel your sorrow. And can totally relate.
I love my Dad, too!
I have not left comments on anyone’s blog for so long but I just wanted you to know that I have been thinking of you, praying and hoping that you are doing alright. Hug your girls, your husband and all that you hold dear to your heart and keep thinking happy thoughts about your new life you will be bringing into this world. It’s what makes the life and death circle bearable.
I know it’s difficult for you … losing a loved one is never easy. My thoughts and prayers are with you always.
I’m so sorry for your loss, I lost my father to cancer 4 years ago, and I still tear up many times when I think of him. It takes a while.
I remember being so afraid that I would forget what his voice sounded like, I really obsessed about that. But, it hasn’t happened, I can still hear his jovial laughter, teasing, and wise advice whenever I try.
Hang in there.
Oh, Jennifer….my heart aches for you and for your family. I can not imagine the pain you have had, and I only wish we, your friends, could take all that pain away. Know that you are in my prayers.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Too many good people are taken quickly by cancer.
I pray for healing for you and your family. You are very fortunate to have such wonderful memories of your precious dad.
I lost my Mother, my beloved Mom, to breast cancer 8 weeks ago and I am still crying everyday. I keep waiting for her to return – like a small child, my mind can’t comprehend that she is not coming back – that she is gone, forever …
… because until she passed away I don’t think I really knew what forever meant …
I will be thinking of you and your great loss and when I pray for my Mom – I will say a prayer for you Dad
Jennifer, I am so very sorry for your loss. What a wonderful tribute to him you’ve written. It sounds like your dad was an amazing person and father.
That was beautiful.
Just so sorry…sending a big hug wrapped up in prayers.
Jennifer,
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. Your father sounds like a wonderful man.
This is a beatuiful tribute to your dad. By the way you speak so fondly of him I am sure that he was an amazing man. I am so sorry for your loss.
I am sorry for your loss, but am glad you have great memories and your children have great memories of him too! I lost my dad 4 years ago, a sudden unexplained death. I feel your sadness.
That was a lovely tribute.
What a lovely tribute to a very special man. His legacy lives on in your beautiful family. Thanks for sharing your thoughts at this very difficult time.
Jennifer, know that our family has been thinking of you and you will remain in our prayers. You have endured so much, but also have much to look forward to with the birth of your son. Red is in all of those girls faces. I know you have and will continue to make him proud with your beautiful children.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
I relate so much to this post, having lost my mom in January 2008. It’s so painful. Three and a half months after her death, I became pregnant, and it was so hard to go through my pregnancy without my mom to share it with — to not have my mom to introduce my beautiful son to.
I realized, though, when Daniel was born, how much my mom lives on in him. That is an AMAZING feeling.
The grief does get easier, but the next few months will be very rough. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Blessings to y’all.