BRADLEY SMOKER | "Taste the Great Outdoors"

But that was over quick.  Dad passed away last night at about 2:30 AM.  I know some of you (maybe all, I don't know) heard that on Tuesday he told me he was proud of me.  Well, when I went to visit on Wednesday, he was messing with the cord for the call button/TV remote thing and saying numbers.  Pretty soon he had me helping, and when we were done, I asked him what we were doing.  He said "measuring for the hole for my grave".  What a nice start to a visit.  The rest of that evening he seemed kinda normal.  Thursday I visited and he didn't wake up for me, but I could tell he could understand what I was saying.  Friday night I was really tired and didn't make it in, but called the nurses several times and there was no change.  Saturday afternoon I went in for a while and sat with him, the same with Sunday.

I gotta hand it to the nurses, I never really saw him in any pain during this ordeal.

Thank you to all of you for being here for me when I really need you...newbies and old friends alike.  You all have a special place in my heart.  Don't know how much I'll be posting for a while, but I most likely will continue reading daily.

I like to express my condolences. Even when it is expected, the loss of a loved one is never easy.

I am very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

So sorry to hear the news.  So very sorry.

I'm very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I'm sorry to hear you lost your Dad, Tim.  I can't imagine your sorrow and hope that your memories of him will be good ones.

Tim,
I am so sorry for your loss.  I lost my father a few years ago so I can understand your pain completely.  Remember this, one of the last things your Dad said to you was how proud he was of you.  You will carry that with you forever.

All the best my friend.  If can I be of any assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me.

KyNola

Tim

Condolences my friend, may God be with you and yours.

Sherlock

I am very sorry for your loss Tim. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

I'm so very sorry Tim, thoughts and prayers are with ya!

C

Tim,
They say that time heals all pain and I believe that.  Remember all of the good times and your Dad will be with you forever.  I know it works for me.  May God bless you in your time of sorrow.

Marc

Tim,
    I'm sorry to hear of your loss. My sincere thoughts are with you.
Mike

Tim,

I am sorry for your loss and know the loss of a loved one is hard to deal with.. take some time to be there for your family and support them .. take  some support as  well.. take all the time you and your family need..

Dale

tim,
i am sorry for your loss, may god be with you and your family.
you will be in my prayers.
                                             jerry

Tim

I am very sorry for your loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.


Brian

Tim,
Sorry for your loss.

" A golden heart stopped beating,

hard working hands at rest,

God broke our hearts to prove to us,

He only takes the best,"

Tim,
Sorry to hear about your loss. Thoughts and Prayers to you and your family.

Very Sorry to hear about your loss Tim.

Tim,
  I'm really sorry to hear about your dad.
I hope it eases the pain some as you said, the nurses did a good job of preventing any pain during his last days with you. I like to express my sincere condolences.
pens

Tim

I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. I lost my Dad many years ago when I was the age of 19 and it's not an easy thing.

Thoughts and Prayers to you and your family.

Mike

My prayers are with you.  It is nice that he did not seem to be suffering during this period and did not leave you until he told you how much you meant to him.  If there is anything I can do for you just let me know.  If you need to get away for awhile, my home is your home.

Tim,

My condolences.  KyNola said it very well, your Dad told you that he was proud of you.  That's something to hold on to.  Try to remember the good times, and when you find yourself down, remember that all of us nutcases are still here, and would love to try to put a smile on your face.

Jeff

Tim

We are very sorry to hear about your father. Our prayers are with you my friend.


nepas

Tim,
Hold on to the good thoughts - those are the ones that count, hold them sacred and guard them and cherish them.  No one can take those away from you.  Remember them always and often.  My heart and my prayers are with you.  May God wrap his loving arms around your, and your family and bring you some peace amidst this change.

May God be with you

A Celtic Blessing of Remembered Joy

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free!
I follow the plan God laid for me.
I saw His face, I heard His call,
I took His hand and left it all...
I could not stay another day,
To love, to laugh, to work or play;
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
And if my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss...
Ah yes, these things I, too, shall miss.
My life's been full, I've savoured much:
Good times, good friends, a loved-one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief—
Don't shorten yours with undue grief.
Be not burdened with tears of sorrow,
Enjoy the sunshine of the morrow.

Mike

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. 
Dick

I'm very sorry for your loss. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Tim,

You have not bummed us out. It sounds like you were very close to your father . Cherish the thoughts and memories. God bless you.


Brad

Tim, we can't add anything more than what has already been said.
You and yours are in our prayers.
Scott and June

Tim, you did this all right, as did your father.  Be proud in your accomplishments as were his.  Just remember, your father was proud of you at the end, as I am sure you were of him.  It may take time, but you will learn to move on.  We are all here for you during this time my friend. You got my direct E-Mail and number if you want to talk.

Ah geez Tim...Bob and I will be thinking about you.. You have been a good son and he's looking down on you now and smiling...there is really nothing I can say to ease this hurt for you except...You are a good man and he was proud.

Prayers are for you Tim...Keep the best things about him in your heart...they will help you through this.

Tiny, don't know what to say except that good friends help ease the pain of loss.

And good food helps friends find a reason to stop by.

I wish you all the peace of mind and heartfelt sympathy that can be shared.  Don't forget the fun moments as they, in my experience, can lighten a heavy heart.

Don't forget to take care of yourself.

With sympathy, warm wishes, and prayers


Consiglieri. 

Tiny, Sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad.
It sounds like you both made a terrific impact on each others life and have some cherished memories for ever.
Our prayer are with you my friend.

So very sorry to hear of your sad loss TT, my thoughts and prayer are with you and yours right now. You take good care, Paul

Our deepest condolences on your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Greg

Tim
Sorry to hear of the loss of your father.Thoughts and prayers go out to you.
                                                            David

Sorry to hear the news Tiny.  I know from your posts how close you and your Dad were.

All the best.

Carter

Tim, Sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you my friend.

Dear Tim,

     I haven't posted in some time but I just wanted to offer my sincere condolences. I have a somewhat similar situation with my father and I know how difficult it can be. My mother passed on ten years ago and my father is now 88. A year and a half ago he suffered a major heart attack. We were virtually sure that he wouldn't survive but he's a stubborn old trooper and is still kicking, although with about 50% heart function. He has never been able to return to his house and currently lives in an adult family home.  After a recent fall he was hospitalized with a neck fracture (on top of a pelvis fracture he suffered some months ago). He's back at the family home for now but has to be monitored 24/7. He is very bloated from water weight gain and has a difficult time keeping his blood pressure up. Also he is less lucid now.  I'm just thankful I have been able to see him recently and tell him that I love him. I'm also thankful that he has had a good life and a wonderful family.  He has asked not to be resuscitated if he has coronary or respiratory failure and we, his children, will respect his wishes. We just want him to be as comfortable as possible with the time he has left. Sorry to keep rambling but, as you know, these times are very trying emotionally and I'm relieved just to talk about it some....

Sincerely,

Nick Lorang

Tim
Nick,
i wish i could put together words that would ease your pain,
both  you and your families will be in my prayers.
if either of you need someone to vent to pm me and i will
give you a contact number.

                                           sincerely
                                                    jerry

Nick, I hate to hear that about your Father as well. I'm with Up In Smoke if either of you need to vent or just chat let me know I'm here to listen.
Chris

Tim,

So sorry to hear about your dad.  My thoughts are with you & your family. 

Take care,

Deb

Thank you everybody.  I don't know if it's the support and prayers from here (as well as those from my local family and friends), but I am taking this a whole lot better than I expected to.  I'm sure I'll break down a few times during the visitation this afternoon, and probably at the funeral tomorrow, but so far the tears have been few...remembering the good times.

And, Nick.  Thank you for your story, I wish you the best when the day comes.  That's one thing I am glad about, I got to tell Dad that I loved him, many times over, while waiting for the end to come.  I hope you can find comfort in the same.

Sorry I've checked in on this so late, but want to echo others thoughts and prayers of condolence, TT. Been there and it sux, but I can tell you that the good memories prevail. Getting to tell your Dad that you love him and hearing that back from him is a blessing that many folks I know didn't receive. You are truly blessed to have had the time together that you did.

Nick...Indeed, you get it!

Tim
So sorry to hear about your dad, I have been on the road for a few days so I just found out now, My deepeset sympathy to you and your family

Just saw the post Tim. Sorry to hear the news my friend. I can only hope time will help the pain. Prayers are with you.
Pat and Ann