Thanks Smoke,
My dad died a few years ago too and I really miss him. I think he taught me how to survive. He was very brave and I watched him do some hard things that I had to do later in life too. I wasn't quite as brave as he was, but somehow knowing that he made it through helped me to make it through.
I still carry his strength with me and I can still hear him telling me to watch what I'm doing. (Especially when I'm spacing out while driving.)
My mother is 81 and since my father died she has focused her attention on us and I feel that our relationship is finally healed. I've really been praying for that because I didn't want her to die without that closure. I'm thankful for that. Better late than never.
Hugs,
MG