Words fail me · 7:14am Mar 9th, 2022
I got a text from my mother today shortly after my shift started. Was told my father was slipping and would not be with us much longer. This was unexpected, yet not surprising. I had received a similar message a month ago.
My father occasionally prophecized that he would die on his birthday due to his sister and brother both dying on that day. I was expecting that to happen as well and was very surprised to find that he did survive his birthday at the end of February. It was anyone’s guess when his body would succumb to the late stage symptoms of ALS.
Less than an hour ago, not even 20 minutes past midnight, I got a call from my mother.
My father was gone.
I am still processing this. I went over right away. And it was chilling to see my father through the window and knowing that I was looking at a corpse. The last time I saw him, I did not shed a tear. I suppose I was at the acceptance stage at the time.
This time, I wept. Nothing could have prepared me for this. My father was no saint and many old wounds were left unmended, but he did not deserve to suffer at the hands of something as vile as ALS.
I have decided that when the time comes, I will be donating my body for research purposes. Having seen what ALS does to someone, and having been confirmed to possess the genetic mutation that can potentially trigger this rare case of ALS, I want to at least contribute to its eventual treatment.
I will not be speaking at his funeral. Partially because I never have much to say during them to begin with, but also to let those who only knew the best side of him enjoy the memories without mentioning the side I was subjected to more than anyone else. I can at least grant them that much.
As for what happens next, I have no answer. I will be taking a day to myself to rest. After that… We will see.
Take all the time you need, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Take all the time you need rest and I hope you feel better too so take all the time you need.
I’m sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry, man. I also lost my father as well five years. I know how devastated you are when you lost him. Take your time, man.
Man I know how this feels all to well. Back in January of this year, my grandmother past away. She has been on oxygen for almost a year prior.
I learned of her passing over a text message. The message simply said "She's gone." Even though the news crush me on the inside, we all knew it was coming. The hospice nurses who were over her said that she didn't have much longer anyways.
Among the deaths in my family I've had to deal with, my grandmother passing is the one that hits me the hardest. She did raise me and my sisters after all. Friends and family help keep the grief away but it would always be there. I just got to keep moving forward, since that's what my grandmother would've wanted.
I am sorry for your loss.
My condolences.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
It is never easy to lose a loved one, no matter how many negative memories are there. You have our prayers and thoughts. We're so sorry.
Condolences from,
The Writing Team and Truthseeker.
When my dad died, it took about a week or two before it finally sank in for me. It took me finding a picture of him holding my newborn daughter in his lap from 5 years prior. That was when the dam broke and I lost it in my kitchen. Everyone grieves differently, just like there’s no wrong way to fantasize, there’s no wrong way to grieve either.
"offers you hugs"
I'm so sorry for your loss :(
I feel so useless when that's all that I can say, but I am sorry :( If you need to talk to someone, don't be afraid to reach out.
I'm sorry to hear that, and while I know nothing I can say will make things better, I at least want to remind you that you do have friends here to lend a sympathetic ear.
Words fail me on what to say, mostly because I'm not sure whether or not it would help. But I hope you are at least taking good care of yourself.
Sorry for your loss I know what it feels like I remember when I lost my nan
sorry for your loss, take your time.
Requiescat in Pace to your father. My prayers to you and your family during this time.
There's nothing to really be said or done. 'Tis a sad fact of life that family worth having must always bury their kin. That's the thing though, that family was worth having. Despite imperfections and old wounds that may never heal, the good outweighed the bad enough that they were someone worth having in life. That is a gift. In time, the pain will lessen and fade. But the good memories and the lessons learned will always be there. Hold onto those as you go forward. It makes some aspects of the loss easier to bear.
Past that? My sincerest condolences to you and your family. Loss is never easy. If there is anything anyone can do to ease your pain, let us know. This community is a glorious dumpster fire many days, but it is one that sincerely cares about the other folks in it. One of us will surely rise to the occasion and offer what we can to aid should you need it, you have but to ask.
Like many others that have said here in this comment section, condolences for you and your family, dude. The fact that your dad died from ALS is bone chilling, to say the least.
You are right, when I looked it up, its effects are unimaginable to the person who has it. I hope and pray that you will not have it when you’re older. But if you do get it, then it’s best to donate your body for research purposes so that it can help scientists and doctors find a possible cure/better understanding of the neurological disease.
God bless you and your family, Humanity.
I feel so sorry that your father died, it must be really hard for you to grasp as it is always with the death of a loved one.