Thank you all so much. I just got home from seeing my dad for the last time and trying

[GreenPartyVoter]

to get all the legal things started, and I am just absolutely stunned at how many kind replies there are to my post from this morning. :cry: I can't tell you how much it means to me. :grouphug:

I found out a little more information about what may have happened. He was in the hospital a couple of weeks ago with an ulcer. (He had initially gone in for a strangulated hernia, but it sorted itself out on its own.) This time the trip to the hospital was because he had an obstructed intestine and more hernia troubles that they were going to operate on. But his heart had two blockages that couldn't be cleared or bypassed, and being off of the blood thinners probably was a large factor in his death. His blood pressure and heart rate just rose sky high and they couldn't get them back down. And then he was gone.

I miss him already and can't stop thinking of all the things he will miss as my kids grow up. And (hopefully I can say this here) I was so proud that despite his health he was running for the state legislature and had worked so hard to gather signatures and work out his position papers. He tutored students at the local school. He was active in the local Grange. He had been a rural route mail carrier for about 20 years. He had been to college, grad school, and got his certificate of advanced study. He had been in the Navy and Reserves. He was a writer, poet, and photographer. And he had been my mom's best friend since they were in the 9th grade.

Thanks Daddy, for all your advice over the years. I will miss being able to call you for help or just to talk about how brilliant your grandsons are. For the last 5 years I have missed Mom the same way, but I take comfort thinking that she helped you find your way to where you are now, and that you are finally together again. I've often felt Mom was in the sunset and the wind and the beautiful trees and flowers around me. I will see and feel you there now too.

I love you Daddy. Good-bye.

[TZ]

1. .

:hug: I lost a grandmother suddenly like this a number of years ago...My best to you and your family

[Dystopian]

2. My heart goes out to you...

A beautiful tribute to your beloved father...
I don't know where you got the strength to write so soon...
Bless your heart....

peace & love to you and your family~

[Swede]

3. Tough times,my friend.

Today is my late father's birthday.

[kimi]

4. Oh, I'm so sorry, GreenPartyVoter

I'm so glad that you got to see him, and say good-bye. He knew that you loved him and I can't imagine a greater tribute for a parent to have. How blessed you both are for having each other as a presence in your lives, and your Mom as well.

Peace and best wishes to your whole family during this time.

[LeftyFingerPop]

5. I'm glad that you wrote us back...

There are a lot of people thinking of you and your family. :hug:

[Catshrink]

6. I'm so sorry.

I know how hard it is to lose someone so close. My dad went suddenly also and there was no time to prepare myself for it.

:grouphug:

[applegrove]

7. Oh I'm so sorry. He sounds like a lovely man. At least he didn't suffer for long.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. My dear GreenPartyVoter...

I'm so glad you could get back to us tonight, and tell us what happened...

I lost my father-in-law suddenly too, and there is just so much sorrow in that. We didn't get to say goodbye either, and it's tough.

I hope that your good memories will sustain you in this time of loss...

Please take care of yourself, sweetie...We all love you...

:hug:

[Book Lover]

9. Thank you so much for sharing his story

Please accept my condolences for this loss. I am so sorry.

[Haole Girl]

10. That was so poignant, GreenPartyVoter

Thinking of you and your family~

:grouphug:

[mikita]

11. So sorry for your loss

You will find him in the wind, and in the stars, and around you, I'm sure.

[MadMaddie]

12. My condolences GreenPartyVoter!

[Kat45]

13. I am so sorry for your loss.

What you wrote was beautiful.

[Captain Hilts]

14. You only do it once, so you don't have to be 'good' at it. My sympathies. nt

[JeffR]

15. Sounds like he was a special person

and a special parent. May he and your mother both find peace, together again.

[betharina]

16. so sorry for your loss. that was a beautiful tribute. nt

[rurallib]

17. So sorry to hear of this. My sincerest condolences

While his death may have been sudden, it sounds like he left his family with some wonderful memories and proper values.
Take heart in that. Having that makes you very lucky.
Again, my sincerest condolences.

[nuxvomica]

18. My condolences, GreenPartyVoter

That was a beautiful tribute to your dad. :hug:

[MrMickeysMom]

19. You are such a special poster...

It only follows that you are lucky to have your dad, GPV. Remember, he'll always be with you.

:hug:

[abq e streeter]

20. Damn--my eyes are misting up again

Sounds like a wonderful wonderful man.

[supernova]

21. Beautiful tribute to your Dad, GPV

:hug:

He sounds like a terrific human being and he had a very caring big-hearted daughter. :D

[TheOther95Percent]

22. I am so sorry.

I wish you and your family peace.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

23. what a beautifully written tribute. Is that you with your Mom and Dad

in the picture? and little brother, too?

:hug:

[emilyg]

24. I am very sorry.

[MiddleFingerMom]

25. Thank you so very much for sharing that.

.
:hug:
.

[RainDog]

26. condolences

so sorry for your loss.

[EFerrari]

27. I'm so sorry, sweetheart.

:hug:

[one_voice]

28. Condolences

to you and your loved ones. The tribute to your father was beautiful.

Peace to you and yours.

[bullwinkle428]

29. GPV, that was a beautiful tribute to your Dad. It's obvious

he loved you and your family very much, and I'm sure he knows how much he was loved as well... :hug:

[TreasonousBastard]

30. It's a terrible thing to go through, and all my condolences, but...

it seems he had a life well lived, and memories worthy of that life.

Carry the memories, and may you be worthy of such memories, too.

You had a good teacher.

[csziggy]

31. He sounds like a wonderful man. My condolences to your family

:hug:

[mdmc]

32. The good life

God bless..

[Richardo]

33. Sounds like one great man...

...so sorry for your sudden loss :hug:

[lunatica]

34. Your parents will always be with you

Whether you believe in an afterlife or not they will be alive in your memories and your children will know them if you want them to.

I lost my mother 2 months ago. I still have to remind myself of that because it's as if she's just in the next room sometimes.

[Bossy Monkey]

35. A great tribute. Good luck with the legal things, and healing vibes on the way n/t

[peekaloo]

36. Sincere condolences.

:hug:

Peace and strength to you and your family.

[struggle4progress]

37. may his memory be a blessing for you

[bigwillq]

38. Thank you for sharing.

My heart goes out to you and your family at this difficult time. :hug:

[Shell Beau]

39. Cherish those memories!! RIP daddy!!

:hug:

[foxfeet]

40. I wish peace and healing for you and for all who loved him..

:hug:

[joeybee12]

41. I'm sorry to hear this...

...our thoughts are with you.

[Arugula Latte]

42. He lived a very full, rich, loving life and that is what matters the most.

:hug:

[July]

43. I'm very sorry, GPV.

Wishing you peace and strength at this difficult time.

[LisaM]

44. Thank you for telling us

He sounds like a wonderful man, and I know you will keep his memory alive in your sons.

[Tikki]

45. You have such remarkable memories of ....

growing up with your family. I see your dad was such a big part
of that closeness.
Share more with us as you can.

The Tikkis

[BurtWorm]

46. I'm sorry to hear of your loss, GPV.

You'll always be one of my favorite DUers, so your pain is a little bit my pain. Sending you white light.

[redwitch]

47. I am so sorry for your loss.

You will always miss him but you had a good dad and you will carry him in your heart and always be proud and happy to have loved him. :hug:

[jobycom]

48. If you are a reflection of him, he was a beautiful man, and I hope you find peace in that.

Your tribute has me in tears. We can all see him (and your mom) in your beautiful character. Peace, friend. :hug: