My Father~ He slipped quietly away from me this morning
[url=http://postimg.org/image/padbgestp/][img]
[/img][/url] 1922~2014
Not a perfect man, yet he was my father and I loved him. He passed away in his sleep early this morning. We knew it was almost time. All day yesterday family, that were well enough, arrived to sit with him. I had four hours alone with my dad. I held his hand and said goodbye as I looked out the window, watching the sun shine through the brilliant autumn leaves. None of us knew, he would die hours after the last one of us left.
In the last year he never knew my sister or me. He had reached the final stage of Alzheimer's disease. He never knew me, yet I know he loved me.
Omaha Steve posted this Op for me almost thirty days to the day of my Fathers passing. It was so very kind of him. There is a video at the link of Glen Campbell, his final ballad is called “I’m Not Gonna Miss You”. Glen Cambell is reaching the finale stages of Alzheimer's Disease.
http://betterment.democraticunderground.com/1017220580#top
Here are the words~
http://www.metrolyrics.com/im-not-gonna-miss-you-lyrics-glen-campbell.html
I'm still here, but yet I'm gone
I don't play guitar or sing my songs
They never defined who I am
The man that loves you 'til the end
You're the last person I will love
You're the last face I will recall
And best of all, I'm not gonna to miss you.
Not gonna miss you.
I'm never gonna hold you like I did
Or say I love you to the kids
You're never gonna see it in my eyes
It's not gonna hurt me when you cry
I'm never gonna know what you go through
All the things I say or do
All the hurt and all the pain
One thing selfishly remains
I'm not gonna miss you
I'm not gonna miss you
It's is a cruel disease. You sit there and watch the light slowly fade away and the memories turn to dust. Tears~
Someone suggested that I write down one memory so that I don't forget, so I will do it here then print it. I was my dads baby girl and a tomboy to boot~ He had a trucking company and would take me along with him. He would lift me up high and put me in the cab of the truck with this huge window spread before me and I could see the whole wide world. It was just my dad and me, on top of the world and laughing out loud, we could be anything. I was about 5 at the time. Yes that is my fondest memory by far~
= new reply since forum marked as read
Sid
A very sad hug - 
ETA - and from my husband. He reads and has an account but doesn't post. You are such a ray of light.
Thanks to you both.
I posted that memory here JAG. Thank you~
so I can only offer you a heartfelt
but glad it happened as it did.
Thanks for a beautiful memorial to a wonderful father.
p.s. I lost my mom last summer and attended a memorial service yesterday. It's good to remember.
To you mom~ 
May she rest in peace.
I was going to say the pain never goes away but you know what? It does. But the memories stay for ever, and they are all good.
p.s. but when it happens it really hurts and there's no getting past it. 
My heart is with you and yours.
My heart breaks for you and all victims of this awful disease
I will be thinking about you and hoping for strength for you.
I love you~
Stay up.
My heart goes out to you and yours.
Condolences to you and all who loved him. May you find peace in his memory.
I wish you and your family peace at this difficult time.
These words gave me strength when my mother passed...
One day you wake up and remember that your loved one didn't just die, that they also lived.
May the memories of their life soon fill the sadness you are feeling now.
but sure not a pushover!
I am so sorry for your heartache. Your dad brought up a wonderful person.
Thank you LawDeeDah.
It is burning bright.
Take care, my friend.
{{{{sheshe}}}}
No one can know your grief. I can only say my thoughts are with you on your father's passing.
R.I.P.
My heart is with yours tonight. I'm so, so sorry.
But it was cancer that killed her.
I think dad had a form and was never diagnosed.
I understand we might not see you much for a few days. Take all the time you need. We will always be here for you.
Your friends at the DU.
Was an incredibly kind thing to do, bless your heart. I had to add it here, Steve. It fit so well.
Bless you and yours, Steve. So sorry about your parents as well.
although it was diabetes and cancer that killed her. She just wasn't there anymore. It was so sad. Sweet woman. Didn't deserve that.
My dad died of cancer 4 years ago, but he had had Alzheimer's for a long time.
I hope that your fond memories will bring you comfort. At least you know that your father is at peace now and free from the torment of that horrible disease.
I agree, it's a terribly cruel disease. We lost my husband's father to it three years ago, and it was absolutely heartbreaking, even from a distance.
My mom died October 1 of this year from a series of strokes and Alzheimer's. It's an awful disease, and I am so sorry that you, your dad, and your family had to endure it.
Sending healing thoughts of peace and strength...
must hold on to them all the tighter.
I am very sorry to hear of about your dad.
Mom currently lives with us...she was born in 1921. In her case, the brain is really good but the body and vision have passed their Best If Used By date.
I love your memory...it sounds like a good one to look back on.
But I am happy that you have those good memories.
May your Dad RIP.
Take Care.
I still miss my dad after nearly 30 years.
My best memories were when he'd come to the shop while I'd be working on whatever and hang with me, never telling me what to do but be using a guiding hand nevertheless.
We spent many hours with me working on my Cushman scooter and when he'd see I was stumped he'd say something like maybe if you'd look at it from this side it will be clearer or some such. The lesson as I look back was to look at all things from different perspectives to get a better understanding of what it is you're faced with.
May you find peace...
Grieve, but keep those fond memories alive!
Remembering you like that gif... OXOXO from me and mine...
I had no one here today as you know. I worked for hours today trying to print that picture, my new computer was not recognizing my printer. I was frustrated and angry and on a mission to get it done. I finally did it, my dad is here.
Love you freshwest, thank you for the hearts from you and yours.
Father. May all the good memories you have of his life live in your heart and bring you comfort and peace .
When my Dad died over 20 years ago, I was struggling to hold myself together, uplift my Mom and others, and do what needed to be done. I refused to cry, but my folks' pastor finally said, "Let yourself cry--it's really okay. Your father is worthy of your tears." And I could at last let go. Through the years, I've recalled those words and advised those I know who are dealing with profound loss that their loved one is worthy of their tears. I also have a poem to share, one that was posted by a fellow DUer and which really resonated with me:
Ascension
And if I go,
while you're still here...
Know that I live on,
vibrating to a different measure
--behind a thin veil you cannot see through.
You will not see me,
so you must have faith.
I wait for the time when we can soar together again,
--both aware of each other.
Until then, live your life to its fullest.
And when you need me,
Just whisper my name in your heart,
...I will be there.
- Colleen Hitchcock
Blessings, sheshe--and many hugs.
Ascension
And if I go,
while you're still here...
Know that I live on,
vibrating to a different measure
--behind a thin veil you cannot see through.
You will not see me,
so you must have faith.
I wait for the time when we can soar together again,
--both aware of each other.
Until then, live your life to its fullest.
And when you need me,
Just whisper my name in your heart,
...I will be there.
- Colleen Hitchcock
Alzheimer's is a very cruel disease & its effects only get worse as it progresses.
I'm losing my mother to this now. It is so rough.
Treasure the memories he lost in life and hold them as his legacy to you. Much love to you, my friend.
My father died earlier this year -- like yours, not a perfect man but I loved him anyway.
It's gonna be rough. Don't buy into anyone who says you have to 'be strong.' All you have to do is keep breathing. The rest will come in time.
You have posted a lovely tribute which would have made your dad very proud.
I lost my mom last year and posted about it here. Folks here always find the time to stop by to offer kindness and support. Hope you find some comfort in that.
Deepest condolences to you and your family.
That sounds like a wonderful memory of your father~
Rest in Peace sheshe's Dad 
Alzheimer's is such a devastating disease for loved ones. I am so glad you were able to spend that time with your Dad, she.
My condolences to you and yours.
forever…
and feel your words.
So many of us are in the Alzheimer's "family."
Thanks for sharing the memory of you and your dad in his truck cab. Dads are cool that way...
i am so sorry for your loss, she
I lost my Dad to cancer in 1990 - have been thinking about him even more than usual lately since it was in November - and not a day goes by that I don't miss him. And what a beautiful memory. I've also been thinking about my Dad recently since he'd take me in the voting booth with him and let me pull the levers. I may have voted for Nixon, LOL, but I cherish the memory. Thank you for your moving post. Your Dad would certainly be proud...
My thoughts are with you and your family.
Beautiful tribute to your dad
How lucky you were to have been his little girl and to see the whole wide world with him.
for you and for your dad
My great-grandmother had this disease, back in 88 when she passed, but it didn't really have a name. By the end, she didn't recognize anyone except my mother and me...kind of...she thought I was a younger version of my mother. I look an awful lot like my mom despite being male. When she didn't recognize my father, he cried. Until that point in my life, I had never seen that man cry, not even when he lost his own parents.
I am so sorry you and your family had to endure the pain of that disease.
Long story,he lived in upper state NY.
We took him back from his wife who had divorced him, yet still they lived together, she had the money and did not want to care for him financially. One day he fell. She took him to the ER and walked away saying that he was their problem. She dumped my father. I would say a nasty word here, yet that is one I don't say. We went to NY, my sister and I, to pick him up and bring him home.
Ya, they don't recognize you. My dad kept thinking I was his sister.
For all of us BTA, it is a hard disease, it hurts us all
Even when Death comes as a friend at the end of a long life, those of us who are left behind miss our dear ones so much, and realize that a link in the chain to our past has been broken. Now we ourselves are the link.....
Be well, and remember the good times.
My mum's recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and even in the early stages I hate what it's doing to her. My thoughts go out to you and yr family.
I know you don't like my sort of music much, but this one just seems right...
hold on to your best memories of the man he was
Words fail me now in my effort to give you comfort at this time.
But, know this, as time passes, you will feel a little better about things.
Remember the good times you had with your father, and forget the rest.
Yes, I am certain that he loved you, as you loved him.
I have no doubt about that, at all.
may his rest be in peace.....
For your loss sheshe. I hope those sweet memories carry you through tough times.
lovely tribute. Hugs to you.
I wish I could express my sympathies as well as the many heartfelt responses here...they're like a circle of friends gathering around you, reaching out offering our hands to hold onto.....
When my Dad left, it was a long, crazy, tragic story leading up to it.....that's not the point right here, but what I DO want you to know is that there were inexplicable occurrences around the time he passed that shone with a powerful light of meaning. ...spirit, CONNECTION from the heart, made tangible........... clear messages from him, from the REAL him, the Dad he was at the core beneath those many murky layers. And so, I knew it was best to let go of the tragedies. I knew that he knew the what was in our hearts, I knew that there was much more at work than the events at the surface.
You may very well have your own experiences, those 4 hours are one, for example.
I know how you feel. My Dad was born in 1922 as well and passed away almost 20 years ago now. I miss him so very much and I wish he was still here.
I don't know what else to say except I am sad for you.
Hugs and encouragement.
Julie
I know the feeling. 
My condolences on your loss.
Peace...
He must have been a great man considering how you turned out.
My thoughts are with you and your family sheshe2. My deepest condolences.
Thank you so much, great white snark.
~It's so good to see you again.
I am so sorry for your loss.
What a wonderful memory... thank you for sharing it!
He is in a better place now and not in any pain (I know that doesn't do much for us here but you get my meaning)
May your father rest in peace.
If there is anything and I do mean anything I can do for you, all you have to do is say so.
May you draw your strength of your friends because there is plenty of it here for you my dear sweet sheshe.
I will be forever grateful for my sisters instincts, knowing it was the end. I am so happy that I had that time with him to say goodbye.
Thank you for your kind words and for being my friend.
All that wisdom from 92 years, your dad lived through some of the most important history in modern times. I can't even think about losing my parents without getting upset. Beautiful poem.
