[leifjackie]

My little girls will never have a chance to meet their fun loving grandpa. My dad passed away today after a very brief illness during the last week. For those who have suffered something like this, how do you introduce your children to family members who are now gone? My daughters aren't home and it seems not fair, not fair to them and not fair to me.

I just feel that we are due for happy times and our cases have made great progress, yet today makes me feel frustrated, angry and sad I need a break!!

[DPline]

I am so very, very sorry. I can not think of anyone more due for happy times and having your children home than you.

(((Hugs)) and prayers to you and your family!

[cbmstephanie]

I am so sorry for your loss. You are right, it's not fair. I'm sure you will find the perfect way to keep your dad in yours and your children's lives. They will know how funloving he was because of you! I wish you peace as you deal with your loss.

[Mommy24]

My father passed away before he was able to see his last 2 grandchildren. I keep a picture of him in our family room and we talk about him often. I am so sorry for your loss, it has been almost 8 yrs since my father passed and it is still hard for me at times.

Hugs and prayers for your family!

[amyfk]

My condolences to you and your family on the loss of your beloved father.
Amy K, NJ

[mountainmama]

I am so sorry about your loss. My dad passed away in November and it has been the most horrible thing I have been through. (sorry to be so blunt) My little boy is home, but he doesn't understand why Papaw's heart got sick and he went to Heaven.

My mom is scared that he will forget him, but we show videos to him and talk about him a lot. He asks me EVERY day about him and this makes it hard on me, but I just keep telling him the same things.

I would suggest just introducing your dad to them through pictures and any videos that you have.

I know what you mean by it being so unfair. My dad would have been 70 on the 29th and I told Elijah we would have to send a balloon to him in Heaven for his birthday and he started singing Happy Birthday to him.

Hang in there, I know that it is hard, but God will give you the strength and the right things to say to the kids.

Amy

[susy...patience]

I am so, so sorry for your loss.....my mother died about 2 years ago and it was her loss that led me to this adoption journey. I realized then that life is so precious and we have to live it the best we can.

My little girl isn't home yet either so I have no first hand advice to give...but my sister-in-law has done a great job in keeping the memory alive of her brother who died very young of cancer. My niece was told often stories about Uncle Brian as she held his picture. My sister in law told my niece how happy Uncle Brian was that she was going to be born. They also have lots of photos up throughout the house....I think she's a great example.

[KMatthews]

LJ I'm so sorry for your loss, I know how hard this must be for you. I lost my mother when I was 18 and she was 35. But I want Zack to know about her and I will show him pictures and things.
Please know you and your family are in our prayers and thoughts.

[GuatMommy2Be]

LJ, I am so, so, deeply sorry to hear this.


My dad (technically speaking, step-dad) passed when I was 13. The other day my mother brought up 'Grandpa Steve' and it literally made me tear up. His death (at age 43) was sudden and unexpected. My family had a very difficult time afterwards. I will let Madeline know how much her 'Grandpa Steve' would have loved her, and I'm sure, watched over her from Heaven. It might not be what others do/have done, but I know in my heart, that he has watched over her everyday since she was born.

I know how hard it is to say goodbye to a loved one (it seems every few yrs someone is dying) .. but also be rest assured that he can now watch over his sweet grand-daughters. A special angel.

[escottswanson]

I am sorry for you loss, and for your children's too... I found out six weeks ago that my first mother died 13 years ago

you have memories, stories of him to share for all their lives! they can still know who he was, and he will live on

[mommytoEli]

i'm sorry . the same thing happend to me last week. my dad had only been sick for a little over a month, and he never met aiden. he did see his picture, and made sure we put his name in the baby's name. we honored his request. it kills me that they never met. they would have met this past weekend, so we missed it by just a few days. i guess bc he carries my dad's name, i imagine it will be easier to talk about, "aiden erickson, you know you were named after your Grandpa Eric who loved you so much. Even though he never met you, he knew about you, and he was so excited you were joining our family. He was a great guy, and I am sorry you never got to meet him."

it is not fair.

[Mindybeth6]

I am so, so sorry for you loss and while I have no advice, I just wanted to say that your entire family will be in my contant prayers...
Many HUGE hugs for all of you...

[au06]

I am so sorry for your loss. I will continue to pray for your family every day.

[greytpaws]

I am so sorry....I am crying for you as I read your post and everyone's comments. I lost my dad 6 years ago (wow...6 years now...) and it is so hard. I too wonder how to best tell Kaiden about him. In some ways it will be easy as I am so like him and use many of his silly sayings on a regular basis. I guess I will just be sure and tell him that's where I got them from and share stories and pictures of him. He is also named after him (Kaiden James). I agree that it is SO UNFAIR to lose those we love unexpectedly (not that it's ever fair...) but when you don't have time to prepare it's just that much harder. It does make me that much more thankful that my mom is here (she's 78) and was able to visit Kaiden in GC with us and is so excited for him to come home but I know that she too wishes Kaiden could have met Grandpa Jim. Hang in there...time makes it a little easier on a day to day basis but you never truly get over it--but he'll always be there with you. BIG HUGS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!

[mildredjohn]

i'm very sorry about your loss. About how to introduce your children to a person that is not physically with us is try to keep photos and memories that you could show and tell them.
My grandmother, like my mother, died 4 years ago, the year that we decided to adopt. She akways was telling me "Mildred, is a girl and I dreamed with her constantly, I can't wait to meet her". But what she never knew was that she was very sick and was living by a miracle. She die and never met her, but I keep in my nightstand her picture and my daughter knows who she is through that picture. I know that when she's older I could tell her about my memories with my loving grandmother.