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My father passed this morning around 5 a.m. He was 83. He battled cancer for 5 years.
Events progressed swiftly as only two weeks ago he was walking, going places. Then, just as the LetterRip Letterhead meet was starting on Friday, he had to be placed in a nursing home, two days later he couldn't get out of bed to go eat meals, and yesterday he struggled to keep his eyes open for a second or two.
We have been making 180 mile round trips since then, and I'm glad I was with him yesterday. While he laid there, I spoke of the wonderful memories of places he had taken me and the things we did together. I think this helped him find a final inner peace to let go.
Call your loved ones today. Remind them you are thinking of them, share a laugh and a good memory, and say those 3 little words that seem awkward to say: "I love you"
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Sorry to hear Dave, My ol' man still comes to the shop here every now and then, I cherish every minute! We are lucky we are still above ground, let's make the most of it!
-------------------- Mike Meyer Sign Painter 189 1st Ave n P.O. Box 3 Mazeppa, Mn 55956
We are not selling, we are staying here in Mazeppa....we cannot re-create what we have here....not in another lifetime! SO Here we are!!!!!!!
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6825 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Sorry to hear of your Loss Dave. My condolences to you and yours. May God bless you again in a most special way. It sounds as if your father was a special blessing. Fred
-------------------- Fred Floyd Carolina Vinyl Wilmington, NC USA Posts: 62 | From: Wilmington, NC USA | Registered: Sep 2001
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I'm sure those final reassurances of his importance to you were a great comfort to him. So great you had the opportunity. In a strange way you're a lucky man Dave.
SONGPAINTER Original Sign Music by Sign People NOW AVAILABLE on CD and the proceeds go to Letterville's favorite charity! Click Here for Sound Clips! Posts: 1974 | From: Orleans, MA, Cape Cod, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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So sorry to hear of you and your family's loss Dave.
-------------------- Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail: kjmlhenry@rogers.com
Why do I get all those on-line offers to sell me Viagara, when the only thing hardening is my arteries ? Posts: 2689 | From: London,Ontario, Canada | Registered: Feb 1999
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Dave, your loss touches all of us. It was good that you had those final days together in which you could express your love for him. Therein is a great lesson for the rest of us.
Our thoughts are with you. We all will (or have) experience what you are going through, but it is still tough. Great memories make it just a little easier.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hi Dave, I'm sorry to hear about this. We missed you at the meet but the time you were able to spend with your Dad is priceless!! I wish I could remember who said "Yesterday's history, and Tomorrow's a mystery, but Today is a gift.... that's why we call it the present". Sounds to me like you used your gift wisely!!
-------------------- Chris Elliott 1longshot@classicnet.net cell 62084two2232 Posts: 686 | From: Scottsdale, AZ & Anthony, KS, USA | Registered: Dec 1999
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Dave- I am so sorry to hear of your father's passing. After meeting you last Thursday I can only imagine what a wonderful person he was. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God Bless.
-------------------- Linda Schmidt Vital D'Signs Greers Ferry, AR signlady@ozarkisp.net Posts: 160 | From: Greers Ferry, AR | Registered: Sep 2001
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Dave: I am so sorry. It is a terrible loss. I know you are hurting. My Dad died at age 63 from cancer. That was 25 years ago and I miss him still. But he lives on in my daily life and his lessons are with me and valued. I'm glad for both of you that the last times together were so good and honest. I'll be thinking about you!
-------------------- Myra A. Grozinger Signs Limited Winston-Salem, NC
signslimited@triad.rr.com Posts: 1244 | From: Winston-Salem, NC USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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-------------------- aka:Cisco the "Traveling Millennium Sign Artist" http://www.franciscovargas.com Fresno, CA 93703 559 252-0935 "to live life, is to love life, a sign of no life, is a sign of no love"...Cisco 12'98 Posts: 3576 | From: Fresno, Ca, the great USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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Sorry to hear that, Dave. He was very lucky to have such special last moments. I'm sure you're comforted by that. Condolences to you and your family.
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Dave, so sorry for your loss. It was 26 years ago that I lost my father when I was 11 years old. Although I have been without him longer that I was with him, it seems the opposite. My fater was a great guy, and your loved one is in good company. Bob K.
-------------------- "The 3-4 minute mark of "Freewill" by Rush.
Bob Kaschak Artisan Sign And Design Peru New York Posts: 1903 | From: Upstate NY | Registered: Jul 2002
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Hey dave, will be keepin' you in tho'ts an' prayers. My Dad's 80 and not a day goes by that I'm not thankful to have him around for as long as the Lord will let him stay. Sounds like your Dad fought the "good fight". Take care.
-------------------- Signs Sweet Home Alabama
oneshot on chat
"Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog" Posts: 5758 | From: "Sweet Home" Alabama | Registered: Mar 2003
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Sorry for your loss. At least you were there for him in his time of need. You will remember the past few weeks the rest of your life.
So many family members hold petty grudges against each other for so long, and when they are gone the're gone. You can never say "Sorry" or "I love you", so go make up and tell your loved ones. Be there for them as you would like them to be there for you.
Thanks for sharing with us Dave he sounded like a wonderful man - we're all thinking of you.
-------------------- Brian Diver PDQ Signs Everett, Wa
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Sorry to hear, Dave. It took a long time before I could even look at a picture of my Dad when he passed away.
My mom said the same thing about I Love You. Dad showed it but rarely if ever said it. Since Dad's death, she says it all the time. The way he showed it, words weren't even needed in all honesty. Actions do speak louder than words. Show those you love just how much.
We offer prayer that you and yours find peace in time of sadness. Remember that though he is no longer with you, he still lives on.
Our best to your family.
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6465 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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Sorry for your loss, our condolences to your family and you.
-------------------- Steve Manning Express Printing Services 1160 Suite B Old Powder Springs Rd. Mableton, GA 7707321910 epsprinting@earthlink.net Posts: 47 | From: Mableton, GA | Registered: Jun 2003
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Sorry to hear of your loss. Losing a parent at any time for any reason is always a hard thing to bear. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
-------------------- Jeff Vrstal Main Street Signs 157 E. Main Street Evansville, WI 53536 1-608-882-0322 Posts: 670 | From: Evansville, Wisconsin | Registered: Sep 2001
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Our prayers are with you, as there is the special bond that you have with your father, and nothing can take that away. There is something more beyond this life, I know that. May peace be with you, keep learning from his lessons and his spirit will live within you brightly.
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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Dave, may the love of friends and family be a source of comfort to you. Our hearts go out to you and yours. Judy
-------------------- Judy Pate Signs By Judy Albany, Georgia USA 229-435-6824
Live simply...Love generously...Care deeply...Speak kindly...Leave the rest to God. Posts: 2629 | From: Albany,GA,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I am privileged to be working with my dad daily right now as we build our new project. Your post touched me & made me appreciate so much more the time I am getting to spend with my dad.
I fully realize as he gets older that he won't be here always. He can't keep up the pace he was able to in the past but I so much appreciate his vast experience & wisdom. He's one of those guys who has trouble expressing how he feels with words. Nevertheless he shows it always with his actions.
My sincerest condolences to you & your family.
-dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8766 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Dave, I'm sorry for your loss, but encouraged by your words...my Mom is dying and I don't know how long I will have her to talk to on the phone late at night (she sleeps most all day now)
I make a point to call her almost every day, and ALWAYS tell her that I love her.
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