My rant

The worst thing that ever happened to me was losing my mom. To me it was like yesterday when in reality it was 13 years ago at Easter. I still miss her terribly and always will. I know thinking about it now you think time won't help but eventually you learn to accept it and even though the pain never goes away your life will move on and get easier. You are not alone in the way you feel...

Oh your normal for feeling the way you do. It's been 15 yrs. since my dad is gone and 7 yrs. for my mother-in-law and it still feels fresh some days. There will be things that will always remind you of your dad and bring memories back to you.Time heals the pain of loss and memories help make it bearable. Sorry for your loss and may the memories of your father become the keepsakes of your heart.

The first year after losing a loved one is the hardest with the holidays being the hardest of it all. I lost my dad to pancreatic cancer 10 1/2 years ago and sometimes it seems like yesterday. The *first* holidays and other *firsts* were the hardest. ie...first great grandchild, first grandchild to graduate high school, etc... So what you are feeling is part of the normal greiving process.

It'll take time JD. It is different for everyone. Some recover fast (and even that's questionable), others take months, even years to get over such a loss. Your anniversary of this may not make you normal, but I find it understandable. Plus its your way of coping, of remembering, of moving on. You have to take it in your own fashion too. Of course you can ask for help or comments, even ask for that kind word... but in the end its your life and it'll be your journey to take. Maybe your event is symbolic of this process J.

Dear jdeforge, Don't worry dear. You are very very normal. Don't keep thinking you are abnormal. My parents passed away long time back but even then I am not able to forget them. That too my father I am just not able to forget... yes the way you said his laugh, his walking style ... his way of looking at you very lovingly.. etc all of these disappeared from my life 18 years before and I am waiting for his smile even now. I am not able to forget him in all these years and you are just talking about 7 years. Parents are just parents.There are no other like them. Losing them soon in ones life is very very difficult. Don't you think so. Let GOD give you strength to get over this. But as I believe one cannot get over this loss completely. All tghe best

I lost my Mom four years ago and I went through what you are going through now. It really took 2-3 years to not feel fresh. But there are still many, many moments where it feels like just yesterday she was here with me, and then i feel like I am grieving all over again. I don't really believe that time heals, I think in time you just get used to feeling the pain and so it feels more dulled. There are times when even though I know shes gone I still feel like its not a permanent thing. Which is totally ridiculous, I know. Its just that she was such a big part of my life that I can't imagine spending the rest of it without her in it. So basically in my opinion, you are totally normal becuase if you aren't then I'm not normal either. Take care!

I can't really say "I know how you feel" because I have never lost anyone very close to me. I am sure it's very hard for you. Hopefully in time you will begin to heal. I am always here if you need me homie!

You are normal. Time does heal but, it heals at different rates for everyone. I am really close to my Mom and, it hurts me to even think about the day when I won't be able to pick up the phone to call her and see how her day is going or to tell her about something. I can't even begin to imagine how long it will take me to "get over it" or to move on. There will probably always be a feeling of something missing as it sounds like you and your dad had a really great relationship. Don't fight the urge to talk to him. That is your way of comforting yourself. That is normal. A lot of people talk to their deceased loved ones. I find nothing wrong with it. I can't tell you when you will finally move into the acceptance and healing phase of your grief. It is different for everyone. And, no one should tell you when enough is enough. You are normal. But, one suggestion would be to talk to someone. Perhaps a professional. They may be able to help you by giving you tools to cope. I am sorry for your loss.