[starting a new life]

Last year this time, I was watching my father on life support. He would have been 81 today. With today being his birthday and tomorrow being Father's Day, I know it's going to be a long weekend. Believe it or not, I'm not as down as I thought I would be. I'm working this weekend, but I asked to be off on tomorrow. I just keep telling myself that my father is in a better place and is no longer in pain. But for myself, I need to stay to myself or with my fiance, and not be with my brother. He's been in the same shape since daddy got sick last year, and his emotions bring me down. I know he'll be upset if I don't spend alot of time with him and my mother on tomorrow, but I have to look out for me, and being with him will not be healthy for me.

For those of you who still have fathers, cherish every minute. For those of you like me, remember the good times and don't linger on the bad.

[judst]

I will keep you and your family in my prayers. It's good that you are taking care of yourself emotionally and nothing wrong with it. I lost my dad 5 years ago on Father's day. We never had a good relationship but through forgiveness I made peace with him. I am the only one in family who did and the only one not living with bitterness in my heart. You are right to saying to remember the good times and not to linger on the bad. Hugs

[Perfesser]

Excellent counsel for all of us. My father died five and a half years ago just before Christmas. I have some good memories of him, but he sure made a dog's breakfast of his life in his last twenty years or so. It took me quite a while to work through the conflicting emotions when I would think of him.

This is an excellent place to start revising history and selecting the positive. Your emotions and attitudes are outputs. You can control them by what you bring to the surface of your consciousness and focus on. Want to be miserable? Think of the misery you've gone through (as we all have). Want to be upbeat? Think of the blessings you've received through those who surround you (as we all have).

My father taught me a lot of mechanical skills and encouraged the development of aptitudes and attitudes that have served me well throughout my life. He taught me to read, print and write longhand before I started school. He did not set a good personal or moral example for me to follow. If I think about the latter end of his life, I don't like him. If I think about the early years, I do like him. We get to choose.

CT

[pretty woman]

What a great time to start sharing about Dads.
My dad passed away 7 years ago. He was the greatest dad...he would do anything for my brother and me. THrough out the years, my mom and my dad had "her" share of arguments(screaming.) It would have been easy for my dad to leave, but nope, he stuck with us. My dad's model showed me when to be quiet and when to speak up.
My dad was slowly dieing; he picked up MSRA and CDIF in the hospital... a sad way for a great guy to die. My brother and his wife are in the medical profession and wanted my dad at their house as he faded. The 3 of us were with him when he died.
It was one of the hardedst and best things I did in my entire life.
Miss you, Dad. Luv ya.