My dad died Saturday.
He had that stroke I mentioned a few weeks ago, then went into a rehab. There was a bit of progress but he still had trouble swallowing which affected his eating and talking.
He got rushed to the ER last week because he had trouble breathing. We found out he had had a few heart attacks and his kidneys were failing.
We made plans for hospice but he never made it out of the hospital.
He was 91 and had a rich, full life until old age hindered him. He was tired. I have cared for him since I moved to Florida, and I miss him terribly.
RIP, my dear old dad. 
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good memory help to comfort you and ease the sad memory of his final illness. 
Keep him present in your heart, always!
It's always hard, no matter how old they are. He did have a wonderfully rich, long life, and remember: you were a big part of that.
He was tired, and now he is at peace. I hope your many great memories will sustain you as you cross through this time of grief.
You were fortunate to have him for so long. Remember the good times
You are always loved here.
I am sorry.
It's hard to lose a parent, no matter the age (theirs or ours).
May he Rest In Peace
Look for him in little things. He will make his presence known. My dad likes to turn the garden hose on me, the great jokester that he was. I can almost count on it!
As you said, he had a rich, full life, and that's what counts. The following is called "Gone From My Sight" and is credited to Henry Van Dyke. It gave me great comfort after my husband's passing...I hope it does for you, too. Peace.
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side,
spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts
for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck
of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone."
Gone where?
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast,
hull and spar as she was when she left my side.
And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me -- not in her.
And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone,"
there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"
And that is dying...
...before they met us, even when their bodies no longer support a joyous life.
My dad made it to 90, and was in relatively decent shape for most of it, thanks to the 24/7 devotion of my mom, a retired nurse. He probably would have died at least 3-5 years earlier had she not managed every detail of his life. She was getting worn out, and there was a sense of relief mixed in with the sadness when he died.
About 3 years ago,, I made the difficult decision to sell his pontoon boat, because we were no longer using it. I was surprised at how much it bothered me to do that - sort of like a delayed final goodbye.
It sounds like he was a great dad.
I lost my dad a year ago after caring for him, I have that sorrowed loss feeling as well.
Your dad’s rich, full life is no small thing, I hope you find comfort and breathing room soon in knowing the significance of that and of your bond and caring.
Peace to you, babylonsister.
May your poor dear old Dad rest in peace.
You have my extreme condolences.
DU holds you in our collective arms with love and best wishes.
My Dad just passed recently as well. I know how you feel.
No matter when and how life ends, it is hard for the family and friends of the loved one. Take care!
It is hard to let them go...
and especially on Fathers' Day. My dad is 90, so I feel how precious each day is.
No matter how long or rich or worthy their lives, no matter how deep and sustaining your mutual love, no matter how joyful the memories, no matter how much one might rationalize that it was “time,” still: there will always be a hole.
My Dad died 6 years ago and I miss him so much....
You will always have him with you
day, and sometimes not too many hours, go by that I don’t miss her. I am wishing you comfort in your grief. No matter the age they pass, we would have wanted them with us longer if only they did not suffer. Treat yourself very kindly.
I completely understand.
...my sincere condolences.
You are very much admired, appreciated and supported around here.
Please be good to yourself as you deal with the time ahead.
sharing your recent experiences and for just being downright nice. You've all made me feel a little less sad.
Losing a great dad is a very hard thing for a daughter.
I knew how close you were to your dad.
So sorry to hear this. I am glad you had that time to spend with him and you will value that.
caring for your father till the end. Sad as his passing might be, you will always have him beside you now, and that you did all you could for him. I know from my parents passing that that lack of regret can help over time.
Well, a bunch of ‘em, my friend.
Went through this with my dad. Even when you know the end is near, and even when it almost seems “welcome” - for the sake of the end of suffering, it’s STILL damn hard.
Damn hard.
My heart and my hard-earned memories are with you, sister.