My Daddy Died Monday

I probably won’t be on Pet Talk for a few days, guys. My Daddy passed away on Monday the 29th. He went pretty peacefully and lived to the age of 80, so he had a wonderful long life here on earth. His name was Olan Reese and he was without a doubt my best friend in the whole world. He would do anything in the world for my sister and me and his pet name for me was Pal. I’m not sure how to get through all this without him. He was my rock. :(

He was in a semi-comatose state since Thursday and had numerous health problems ranging from emphysema, lymphoma, lots of problems with his blood pressure and of course, the hole in his esophagus. He’s spent the last few months in a struggle to breathe. His emphysema was horrible. He got no rest from all the gasping and coughing and choking on the stuff that comes out of your lungs when you have emphysema. He awoke Sunday morning and was suddenly himself again. He was just like he was before, the old Daddy that wasn’t sick. He didn’t have any problems breathing and almost looked like he could leave and go home. God is wonderful to have given us that glorious day with Daddy.

My sister went up first by herself to visit with him and he was up and around and sitting up on the edge of the bed chatting with her. They talked for an hour or so and my cousin then went to the hospital to see him and stayed a bit. After they left Michael and I made it over there (they’re about 30 mins away from us) to see him and Glory to God, it was wonderful! We talked and chatted and joked a bit, and then he told us that my cousin had gone to the house to get Bob, Dad’s Fox Terrier to bring him to the hospital. We met her in the stairwell and the look on my Daddy’s when he saw his old best friend face was priceless!! I’ll cherish that memory till the day I die. He smiled the biggest smile I’ve seen in years and so did Bob! Daddy was so happy to see his “Bubba”! :)

He was a simple, loving, caring, family man who was very soft spoken and shy. He was a veteran of the army and fought valiantly for our freedoms in World War Two. I get my love of animals from my Daddy and he was so truly special to me that I feel like there’s a huge hole in my heart and I hurt so badly that sometimes I can’t breathe. I’m sorry for rambling, but I’m just lost without him.

He’s with my Mom now and I know they’re so happy to be together again. They’ve been apart since 1985 and several months a go he told the nurse that on duty with him the night he died that it was time to go be with his wife again.

Anyway, I hope to be back on PT again soon. His funeral is tomorrow, and then we have so many things to take care of with the house and all. Thanks Pet Talk family. I love you all.

:(

Micki, I'm so sorry to hear about your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

:( I'm so sorry Micki. I'll be thinking and praying for you and your family.

Oh Micki, I'm so sorry to hear this. :( We're all here for you. Your father sounded like a great man. I'm glad he enjoyed some time with the ones he loved before he passed. I bet he's smiling down at you thinking of what a wonderful daughter he has raised.

Micki, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. :( My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please take care.

OH Micki, I can barely type thru my tears. I am so sorry for your loss. Please know I am thinking of you. :(

Micki, God works in strange ways......and I am so glad that your last days with your Dad were so wonderful and are filled with good memories of him.

It sounds as though you definitely were his "Pal".

I understand your loss and it is very difficult.

Take good care of yourself. I will say a prayer for you and yours.

Oh, Micki what a loving, wonderful, heartfelt tribute to your father who is now, without a doubt smiling down upon you and the rest of your family. What a blessing for that last "clear" day and what a blessing for him to see his family - including his "Bubba"- one last time.

You have my heartfelt condolences, friend. I'm here if you need me.

{{hugs}}

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Your tribute to him is wonderful and, like so many others, I'm very glad that you had such a marvelous visit. {{{hang in there}}}

We are here for you.

Ohhhhh Micki.......:(:(:( {{{hugs}}}

I'm so very sorry to hear of your father's passing. I know that this is probably one of the most difficult of losses to bear. My sympathies and condolences to you and your family. :(:(

Micki, my prayers are with you and your family. Please, if you need anything, please please let me know. I'm not too far away. Even if you just need some puppy breath for 5 minutes, I'd drive there with my babies to kiss you.

Stay strong. Your father had a wonderful life and is at peace now :(

I'm so sorry about your father. He sounded like a wonderful man and the best of fathers. Look after yourself {{{hugs}}}

My condolences and simpaties are with you and your familly.

:( I'm so sorry Micki :(

Micki, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

So sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}

It is so hard to lose a parent, especially when you can say "we were close". I know, it was like that with my mom and me. The days ahaed will be hard, but know that people are hurting with you and do not be ashamed of your grief. Take care of yourself and let the wonderful memories be your strength.

My sincerest sympathies.

Micki, I am so, so sorry to hear of your loss. :( Your Dad sounds like a wonderful and special man.
You and your family are in my thought and prayers.
Big, big, Hugs
Chris

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in my prayers. What a blessing that you got to spend time with him before he passed away, You have some wonderful memories to treasure.

What a wonderful tribute you wrote about your father. He certainly was a special man. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Your dad sounds like a special man. I'm glad you will have good memories. My condolences to you and your family.

I'm sad for your loss. Your father sounded like one of those special people we all love to know. What a blessing that he had that great day on Sunday, with all the people he loves, and his dog too! :)

I will be keeping you and your sister in my thoughts and prayers.

Logan

Micki,
I'm sorry to hear of the passing of your father, but
I'm glad you all got to have that last glorious day with your him, it sounds like he really had a wonderful time as well.
I can't imagine your pain right now, but know I will be thinking of you and your family and you all will be in my prayers.
Take care of yourself. Hope to talk to you soon.
{{{{HUGS}}}}
Anna

Dear Micki,
My most heartfelt condolances to you and your family on the passing of your father. Your post was such a loving memorial to a wonderful man. May you be comforted by the memories you shared together, and the love of your family hold you tight.
Hugs,
Johanna

Oh Micki. :( I'm so sorry.

I don't know what I'd do if I lost my Daddy. :( :(

You and your family are in my thoughts.

Micki,

My condolences on the loss of your father. Your love for him and his for you shines through in your post.

Godspeed.

Sara

My condolences on the loss of your father. You wrote a lovely tribute to him, and I am sure that he would be proud of you.

oh Micki i am so sorry to hear of your loss :( .

my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time. *hugs*

Micki,

I don't know what to say, except I am so sorry to hear
about your dad.
Your tribute was so beautiful.
My thoughts are with you and your family.

Hugs (((0U0)))

Karen

I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of your wonderful Daddy. But I rejoice in the fact that he is now reunited with his loving wife! What a blessing that you were able to share one very special last day with him before he went home to heaven!!! I know that you feel a tremendous emptiness right now, but in time all you will remember is the love you shared with your Pal, your rock, your friend, your Daddy!!! May God comfort you, and see you through the difficult days ahead.

Kim

I'm so sorry to hear of your lose!

I am so very sorry for your loss. :( I am happy to hear you spent one last joyous day with him, that is great! I too am very attached to my father and I know that when the time comes, it will be hard. Know that we are all thinking of your family during this hard time. ((((hugs)))) Take care.

Very sorry to hear of your loss... but about that really great day you had - it was the same thing with my grandmother. She was declining for sometime and when we visited her on December 234d, she was just like my old, not-sick Mom Mom. It was wonderful. She was talking and laughing and we thought maybe, just maybe, she'd be able to pull through. But she died at 12am on Christmas Day. Soo... I think those types of days are gifts from God, so that we can remember them as some other way than ill or sad or whatever. I'm glad you had that day with your father, just like I had my day with my Mom Mom.

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, micki. That was a very
wonderful tribute to a very special man. Glad he got to
share one last special day with his kids and dog. The
dog part especially got to me.

Par...

So very very sorry for your loss. ((hugs))

Oh Micki, I'm so sorry for your loss! Please accept my sincerest condolences. Such a tough time for you and your family.

But, what wonderful gifts God gave to you: a wonderful loving father, many years of that loving presence and that one last day to remember him as he'd always been.

:(

Oh wow... I am almost in tears also.

Micki, I want you to know I am here for you whenever you want to talk, as are every one of us. I like many others cannot imagine losing my father, and it makes me cry thinking about losing him. I cannot begin to imagine the pain you are feeling, the feeling of losing something so precious... How horrible for you.

Please remember. I am always here, no matter what.

My deepest condolences,
Meg

Micki my deepest sympathy is with you on this sad day and I will be thinking of you tomorrow as you attend the funeral of your wonderful dad. Your words were so beautifully written and give us a glimpse as to what a special man he was. My dad has been gone for almost 20 years now and my mother, who turned 94 yrs. old today, often says how she misses him and looks forward to being with him some day. I know that the thought that your parents are together again must be giving you some comfort right now. I understand the depth of your sorrow at this time, as do others, but it will lessen a little each day. You were blessed for many years to spend your life with such a man. (((hugs)))

I'm so sorry to hear this. I'm that close with my mom and I can't imagine how you feel. I'm still fortunate enough to have both my parents. I'll try and call you later today if I can find your phone number. I'm so glad you had that last day with him. I know that really means a lot to you.