Dana, I wasn't able to get through the first half of your story, without feeling emotional and sad. The portion that I read toward the end, I thought that there was a window where you were able to see your father without the anger or pain and was able to have a real father and daughter conversation just in that moment. I felt so happy for you that you were able to see the humanity in your Dad. I was reminiscing if only I could have had a moment with my mother, just to see her smile and to say that I love you and to thank her for the gifts that she gave me. She gave me strength and to never be afraid of obstacles or struggles, that you are not alone She gave me a voice and to use my voice to fight for what I believe in and to never let anyone take it away from me. My mother died of lung cancer. I had the pleasure of being by her side when she took her last breath, before she passed, I read the 23 Psalms it was her favorite. It was an enlightened moment of my life, to see my mother leave this earth with joy and pain free. I felt joy, I didn't feel sorrow or pain, I felt joy, happiness and appreciation that she was my mother. Dana, Happy Birthday to your Dad! Thank you for sharing your post.
June 30th 2019 at 9:05 pm, my mom drew her last breath. She was 88 years old. Nena, as she foundly known by her loved ones and people who had "adopted her one of their own" passed away in her own home surrounded by family, extended family, and friends who loved and adored her. You can say I was one of her care givers for the last three years of her life or you look at like I was trying to be a good daughter and do as my daddy asked of me before he passed away in '88 at the age of 60. Being thrust into the position of family matriarch could not have been easy for my mother but she was a force of nature to be reckoned with.
Dana, your story about your dad was touching and hard to read with my allergies acting up and watering eyes are hard to through.
Wishing your dad the happiest of birthdays and here's to 82. Cheers! 🍻
Dana, I wasn't sure if I could get through this story. It reminded me of when my Dad was diagnosed with this terrible disease. But in a way, it wasn't so awful because it brought me closer to the one person who was always angry when I talked to him. You see, his favorite out of seven children was my older sister. The rest of us were just his other kids. I only had him close for about two months before he passed away, with only me by his side. It happened during my shift caring for him. We all followed a schedule and rotated taking care of him.
I'm sure he’s now at peace with whatever tormented him. Thank you, Dana, for finally allowing me to share this part of my story. You have no idea how much your story moved me.
I feel like I'm living in "bonus time." I'm older than my dad was when he passed away. And I'm older than some classmates, friends, and acquaintances who have passed away. Dana's dad definitely got "bonus time."
Mine has been a true blessing with good health, memory, and attitude. Not perfect but worth having.
A great post. Thank you for writing it.
My Mom passed away 2 years ago, and she was experiencing what your Dad is.
I also found myself not bothering to correct her when her memory wasn't the best because, in the long run, it didn't matter being right or wrong.
Happy Birthday to your Dad!
Thanks so much, Ken 💜
Dana, I wasn't able to get through the first half of your story, without feeling emotional and sad. The portion that I read toward the end, I thought that there was a window where you were able to see your father without the anger or pain and was able to have a real father and daughter conversation just in that moment. I felt so happy for you that you were able to see the humanity in your Dad. I was reminiscing if only I could have had a moment with my mother, just to see her smile and to say that I love you and to thank her for the gifts that she gave me. She gave me strength and to never be afraid of obstacles or struggles, that you are not alone She gave me a voice and to use my voice to fight for what I believe in and to never let anyone take it away from me. My mother died of lung cancer. I had the pleasure of being by her side when she took her last breath, before she passed, I read the 23 Psalms it was her favorite. It was an enlightened moment of my life, to see my mother leave this earth with joy and pain free. I felt joy, I didn't feel sorrow or pain, I felt joy, happiness and appreciation that she was my mother. Dana, Happy Birthday to your Dad! Thank you for sharing your post.
Gloria, thank you. I’m so touched by your message. 💜
June 30th 2019 at 9:05 pm, my mom drew her last breath. She was 88 years old. Nena, as she foundly known by her loved ones and people who had "adopted her one of their own" passed away in her own home surrounded by family, extended family, and friends who loved and adored her. You can say I was one of her care givers for the last three years of her life or you look at like I was trying to be a good daughter and do as my daddy asked of me before he passed away in '88 at the age of 60. Being thrust into the position of family matriarch could not have been easy for my mother but she was a force of nature to be reckoned with.
Dana, your story about your dad was touching and hard to read with my allergies acting up and watering eyes are hard to through.
Wishing your dad the happiest of birthdays and here's to 82. Cheers! 🍻
Beautiful writing. Thank you for sharing.
Dana, I wasn't sure if I could get through this story. It reminded me of when my Dad was diagnosed with this terrible disease. But in a way, it wasn't so awful because it brought me closer to the one person who was always angry when I talked to him. You see, his favorite out of seven children was my older sister. The rest of us were just his other kids. I only had him close for about two months before he passed away, with only me by his side. It happened during my shift caring for him. We all followed a schedule and rotated taking care of him.
I'm sure he’s now at peace with whatever tormented him. Thank you, Dana, for finally allowing me to share this part of my story. You have no idea how much your story moved me.
I feel like I'm living in "bonus time." I'm older than my dad was when he passed away. And I'm older than some classmates, friends, and acquaintances who have passed away. Dana's dad definitely got "bonus time."
Mine has been a true blessing with good health, memory, and attitude. Not perfect but worth having.