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JonDuke · 10-13-2015, 04:10 PM

We lost my Dad yesterday.
I found out 30 minutes after posting in the WRGMG thread about how I already disliked Thanksgiving.

Ever since he was given the prognosis, I've dramatically switched the way I look at life. The biggest change was trying to find the positives in anything, no matter how tough. It gave me a completely different outlook on life and I lost so much of the negativity that normally possessed my train of thought.
So many people lose a loved one suddenly, without being able to say goodbye.
I was able to do that though.
We spoke in depth about life and death, and said everything that was needed to be said.
Because I have an amazingly supportive wife and kids, and line of credit, I was able to fly back and forth numerous times to see him at home and in the hospital. I had been there 6 times in just the past 2 months alone, anywhere from 48 hours to 10 days. I was just there 2 weeks ago to surprise him for his 64th bday. Those trips were not easy and we struggled a lot to pull it off. Financially broke or not, I'm emotionally rich.

I'm glad I listened to my wife, and to those of you here who said, "just do it, and go see him". I will forever be grateful for that time and those laughs, and never look back with regret or wishing I could spend more time with him. That makes this whole thing that much easier.

I'll add this: A family friend was with him when he passed. She told us how, just before he passed, he spoke of a sparrow perched upon his food tray and how it was a member of our family ready to walk him to the light. He was frustrated that the friend could not see the sparrow (because it wasn't really physically there). He passed minutes later. I'm not religious at all, but hearing that was surreal. Almost comforting. I dunno if I'll ever look at a sparrow the same again. I

No need for condolences or anything. I just wanted to update and add the final chapter of this thread.

Thanks again for all the advice.
F#ck Cancer.

10-13-2015, 04:10 PM	#24
JonDuke Franchise Player Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Calgary Exp:	We lost my Dad yesterday. I found out 30 minutes after posting in the WRGMG thread about how I already disliked Thanksgiving. Ever since he was given the prognosis, I've dramatically switched the way I look at life. The biggest change was trying to find the positives in anything, no matter how tough. It gave me a completely different outlook on life and I lost so much of the negativity that normally possessed my train of thought. So many people lose a loved one suddenly, without being able to say goodbye. I was able to do that though. We spoke in depth about life and death, and said everything that was needed to be said. Because I have an amazingly supportive wife and kids, and line of credit, I was able to fly back and forth numerous times to see him at home and in the hospital. I had been there 6 times in just the past 2 months alone, anywhere from 48 hours to 10 days. I was just there 2 weeks ago to surprise him for his 64th bday. Those trips were not easy and we struggled a lot to pull it off. Financially broke or not, I'm emotionally rich. I'm glad I listened to my wife, and to those of you here who said, "just do it, and go see him". I will forever be grateful for that time and those laughs, and never look back with regret or wishing I could spend more time with him. That makes this whole thing that much easier. I'll add this: A family friend was with him when he passed. She told us how, just before he passed, he spoke of a sparrow perched upon his food tray and how it was a member of our family ready to walk him to the light. He was frustrated that the friend could not see the sparrow (because it wasn't really physically there). He passed minutes later. I'm not religious at all, but hearing that was surreal. Almost comforting. I dunno if I'll ever look at a sparrow the same again. I No need for condolences or anything. I just wanted to update and add the final chapter of this thread. Thanks again for all the advice. F#ck Cancer.