Tribute to parents this Christmas Season

[Lindaloo]

This thread is for everybody who has lost a parent.


My parents had some mighty tough health issues and have conquered them all. They are now healthy and eating right. They walk 10 miles a week.

My Mother is my best friend and I cherish each and everyday I have. I never disrespect her, even if I think she is wrong. She is there for me when I have no one else and gets on to me if I even think about judging people. I feel Blessed to be able to enjoy them. If you have not told your parents you love them or if you are arguing, please call them just to tell them you love them. You never know what could happen.

[sunny]

I am really happy your parents are doing better Linda!

I have lost both of my parents. My dad 28 years ago to lung cancer (he was 44), my mom 6 years ago to various lung ailments. I miss them both very, very much. My mom LOVED Christmas! We often talk about how fun mom made the holidays before she got sick. She would cook her butt off Christmas eve and Christmas day. She loved Christmas music - her favorite was The Little Drummer Boy. I smile when I hear that one now because I can hear my mom singing it. The old girl was something else My dad - well I was a daddy's girl. lol. I've yet to meet a better man.

[angelwing]

I dearly miss mine, both died at different times tragically. They were married for 45 years before dad died first and mom never got over it, wish they were still around.

Just wish more people would cherish their parents, they don't know what it's like when they're not around.

[CajunMama]

I dearly miss mine, both died at different times tragically. They were married for 45 years before dad died first and mom never got over it, wish they were still around.

Just wish more people would cherish their parents, they don't know what it's like when they're not around.

Truer words were never spoken.

Christmas is bittersweet for me. My mother passed away Dec. 17, 1994 and my father Dec. 30, 1999. But i'm so lucky to have my husband, children and wonderful inlaws.

[Lindaloo]

I am so sorry about you all that have lost parents. I should have been more sensitive, but you all know exactly what I am talking about. My heart goes out to you all this Christmas season. ((((HUGS))))

[sunny]

I am so sorry about you all that have lost parents. I should have been more sensitive, but you all know exactly what I am talking about. My heart goes out to you all this Christmas season. ((((HUGS))))

Nothing to apologize for! Paying tribute to our parents is a wonderful thing.

[Lindaloo]

I am so sorry about you all that have lost parents. I should have been more sensitive, but you all know exactly what I am talking about. My heart goes out to you all this Christmas season. ((((HUGS))))

Nothing to apologize for! Paying tribute to our parents is a wonderful thing.

Okay (((HUGS)))

Then this thread is for those who have lost a parent.

[angelwing]

Nothing to be sorry for at all

[CajunMama]

I am so sorry about you all that have lost parents. I should have been more sensitive, but you all know exactly what I am talking about. My heart goes out to you all this Christmas season. ((((HUGS))))

No apologies needed at all. I didn't take it in an insensitive way at all.

[vbhoutex]

I lost my father January 3, 1999 and I miss him very much, even though I have been away from home for 35 years with my own wife and family. My Mom is still alive and well in Niceville, FL. She will be with us for Christmas.

I lost my FIL in March of 2005 and my MIL just this past September. We have many wonderful memories with them all, but this will be a bittersweet Christmas in some ways without them around as they have been for so many wonderful years.

At the same time we move on with new babies and new weddings in the family. I take much joy in the many wonderful memories and learning experiences we shared over the years and can only hope that we do the same with our children and extended family.

Linda there was nothing insensitive about your post. We should honor our parents that are still with us as well as those we have lost.

I too must encourage anyone who is having a difficult time with either their parents or any family member or close frend to make that call, take the first step and let them know that no matter what you still care for them. As Linda said you never know what can happen and to leave those words unsaid is tragic in my mind.

[Pburgh]

I lost my father in 1974. He was 52 years old and died of leukemia. He had only been sick for 6 weeks. Geez it seems like only yesterday. He was my best friend. Yes, I was a Daddy's girl and a tomboy that went hunting and fishing with him. He loved Christmas and always orchestrated the family Christmas Eve party at our home. I miss him so much.

I'm really lucky to have my Mom. She'll be 84 in March. She always has been a wonderful Mother.

((HUGS)) to all of you who have lost those special loved ones. This time of year is especially hard.

[Miss Mary]

My dad has been gone for 18 years now. I have never gotten over losing him so suddenly, within 5 weeks of a cancer diagnosis although he had congestive heart failure also.

I miss my dad to this very day. He was the parent I was the closest to. We all were.

And I'd like to mention my dearly departed, very sweet, saint-like Mother-in-law. She's been gone but still with us for 13 years now. A constant loving presence (same as my dad but more so in her honor, we have so many traditions she started that we lovingly continue).

Mary

[sweetpea]

What a great post Lindaloo. I have both my parents still with me. Even though I won't see either one for the holidays. But my MIL passed away suddenly 4 years ago last month at the age of 50. I miss her very, very much. I was very lucky to have such a wonderful MIL. My husbands biological father also passed away 12 years ago at the age of 45. I didn't know him very well. But my husband is lucky enough to have a wonderful man that raised him since the age of 8 years old, he only lives 5 minutes from us so we see him all the time. My FIL is terrific. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas with warm thoughts of all their loved ones.

[angelwing]

I had forgotten to mention my MIL, she was a sweetie, a dear-heart and a saint, she would help with anything! She died on March 24th 1998 and we had to let mom go 4/1/98....to this day I don't think I've experienced the total shock of it all, one day I might go into all the details, but right now let's just say it was one hell of a week, it still hurts and seems surreal. My father had died on 3/15/92 and there were tragic circumstances with his death and my FIL had died on 3/15/97...to this day I dread the month of March

[j]

I miss my Dad more than words can say. 13 years now, and a day doesn't go by when he is not on my mind.

My Mom has Alzheimer's but her general health has gotten better since she has entered a nursing home. She actually likes it there, and the soiciality of the place is just what she needed. I thank God for every day she still knows her children, and if she want s to tell me the same story 5 times in 5 minutes, I don't care. I love her to death.

[george_r_1961]

My mother passed away from cancer in 1982 and my dad as most of u know died from heart failure March 24 2005. For those of you youngins out there that think u dont need your parents when u are grown..think again.

All I have now are memories of the vacations my dad busted his butt at work to pay for, the never lacking for anything (yes I was a spoiled kid..an only child) and the huge dinners that they cooked for the holidays. When I went thru the "male teenage thing" dad dealt with that firmly and fairly, usually with an informal discussion in my room after which I was given a few days of solitude to think about it Thanks to them I turned out pretty good aside from a few problems I had as a young adult. By then my mom was gone. And I still remember dad telling me "Ok boy enough is enough". That did it. And I was well into adulthood when he said that. I knew better than to NOT listen. My point: ALWAYS respect your parents. They were around long before you were. They clothed you, fed you, sent u to school, helped u with your homework, and took u to the hospital at 2am when you were sick. By assigning you chores that they expected to be properly done they taught u responsiblilty and gave u a work ethic that u took to your first job washing dishes or flipping burgers and kept throughout your working life. By punishing u when u did wrong you were shown the consequences of bad decisions. As you grew into adulthood and moved out on your own they were just a phone call away when u needed advice or just wanted to talk. They dont stop being your parents when u turn 18. Its a lifetime job even when the little ones arent so little anymore. For those of you whose parents are living, call them every now and then or if u live near them visit them. Dont bring your dirty laundry for them to wash or expect a meal every time u go see them. Spend as much time with them as you can while u still can!

[Stephanie]

Thanks Lindaloo.

My Mod buddies know that my mother had an aneurysm the Saturday after Thanksgiving. She had a severe headache and her fiancee took her to the hospital where they saw bleeding. They sent her to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. Her surgery was a success and I still can't believe it but she's COMING HOME TOMORROW!

I can honesty tell you that when I saw her in the hospital before she was transferred that it seemed like nothing happened. We were having a normal conversation. It seemed surreal that she even had it.

All I can say is that EVERYTHING else was in her favor. People are normally in the hospital for 2 - 3 weeks.

After her accident last year and the aneurysm this year, both around Christmas, it does make you appreciate even more what you do have. You never know when it will be gone.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone this season that have lost their parents.

[DaylilyDawn]

I lost my father in 1996 and even though I wasn't close to him, I do miss him. He died of a very aggressive case of Alzheimers and aspiration pnumonia. He was on ly 64 when he passed. I lost my mother on Dec 31, 2003 and it has been a rough 3 years since.I was very close to her and still find my self saying I need to call her or to talk to her. I made sure that if I had to say goodbye to her that I said that I loved her .

Stephanie, I am so glad that your mother has survived.

[Pburgh]

((Hugs)) Stephanie. I'll keep your Mom in my prayers.

I know from experience to appreciate every minute and make every minute count. Never miss the chance to say I Love You. It might be the last time you get to do so.

[azsnowman]

This is my first Christmas without my father....it's hard as Hades and my 12th without my mother.