Perspective

[BoneheadNW]

We just got back from San Diego Monday night. Was supposed to be the last time m;y kids got to see their "Popop" (Grandpa). Unfortunately, my Dad died on Friday, November 21st, before the kids could see him. Fortunately, I made it in time to be there with him at his side when he passed.

My Dad had been ill for over a year. By the time they found out he had lung cancer, it had already metastasized. A couple tries at chemo did nothing but put him in the hospital from the side effects. Knowing what I knew from being in the cancer field did nothing to prepare me for what my Dad went through. I guess I was lucky enough to see those things only as the words "grade 4 side effect" on a clinical report.

My Dad was always the macho one- never wanted to admit he was in discomfort or pain, even up to the end. My experience with my father's illness has given me a new perspective on life. Amazing how much time we waste worrying about chicken shit (poultry droppings, as my Dad would say).

The type of guy my Dad was- he would never want people to make a fuss about his passing- "Snap out of it!' or "Fah-get about it!" were some of his favorite sayings. Sorry Dad, I won't Fuh-get about it. Some things I just can't do like you.

Jay

[thcri]

Jay,

Sorry to hear about your dad. My prayers will be with your family.


murph

[PBinWA]

You have my condolences Jay. Sounds like the world lost a good man.

PB

[bczoom]

Sorry to hear of your loss. My condolences.

[groomerguyNWO]

Sorry for your loss. I know personally how hard it is to watch someone you love wither away from lung cancer. My grandfather went through that last year with the chemo and such but it was too late for treatments by the time they discovered it. Be strong and know that he isn't suffereing any longer. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Doc]

Jay, what a tough year for you and your family. I understand part of what you are going through .... my dad was much the same. We lost him in 2002, and no, we never fah-get about it. Good men make that kind of impression on us.
Sorry for your loss. I know what you mean about it bringing things into perspective. My dads passing did the same for me.

[pirate_girl]

Hugs Bone!!
Be strong.. your words up there were beautiful.
Eternal rest to your Papa :)

[Tractors4u]

I watched my grandfather go through cancer and we lost him on Christmas Eve 1986. He fought and recovered and it came back. Of course everyone made a fuss and treated him as though he couldn't do anything for himself. I was a teenager at the time and we were sitting on the couch together and he started an impromptu arm wrestling match. I remembering him saying there is still a lot of man left in me. It gave me a whole perspective of him and how to treat people in that situation. Your dad sounds a lot like my grandfather. My condolences.

[Av8r3400]

My condolences, Bone.

Maybe it was best that the kids didn't see him at the very end? Now, maybe they have better memories of him.

[BigAl]

Your dad sounded like a heck of a guy . Take what you learned from him and pay it forward . He'll always be right there with you ! You take care ....I'm sorry for you and the family's loss .

[Erik]

prayers and condolences. Good that you were able to make it there in time.

[RNE228]

Sorry to hear about your loss.

[Spiffy1]

My condolences, Bone. Of course, "fuhget about it" doesn't mean you have to forget: just remember all the good times; perhaps not quite the same as having him here yet, but, unlike human bodies, memories can live forever.

[EastTexFrank]

Sorry to hear about your loss Bone. It's tough. Mine passed a number of years ago but I still think about him. He was a good, good man.

[OhioTC18]

Jay,
I lost my Dad the same way. I still think of him very often. He may have made some bad life choices for himself, but he was still my Dad and I loved him dearly.
Our thoughts are with you and your family right now.

[mak2]

Sorry to hear about your loss.

[cowgirl]

my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family

[American Woman]

As a daughter....I always had Daddy on a pedestal of strength. I watched him waste away with Cancer, and still didn't loose the respect of his strength I had for him. It was hard to watch, but I wouldn't have been anywhere else but there.
I'm sorry you had to loose your Dad.
Redneck and I will keep you and your family in our prayers.

[Trakternut]

All I can say is, I'm sorry.

[BoneheadNW]

Thank you all for the kind words. They go a long way toward helping me through the waves of grief. Actually, I have been grieving for months as my Dad was not really my dad for the last few months of his life.

Like my father, probably because of my father, I have never been one for religion. I am Jewish and cherish my heritage, but my father always taught me to question authority of all kinds, do not take what someone says (doctor, rabbi, cop, etc) without putting it through the test first. Ironically, this experience of the last few months has made me more spiritual. I know that is natural in these times, but I can actually hear my father saying things through me sometimes. It is quite an interesting experience, to be watching a basketball game and all of a sudden, out of the blue, yell "PASS THE GOD DAMN BALL!". I never did that before!

Thanks again to all of you.

Bone