Comments on: The Dead Dads' Club

By: Laura Starling

Laura Starling — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:12:35 +0000

Shelly, nice piece! My dad has been gone for almost 18 years and I still miss him every day!

By: ShellyKramer

ShellyKramer — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:00:03 +0000

That's hard in a whole different way, Mark. Am sorry to hear that. And you're right. My family lives far away and I don't get to see them as often as I like, but friends, for me are like family. Let's make sure we cherish them all!

By: Mark Sherrick

Mark Sherrick — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:38:49 +0000

I'm not a member of the Dead Dads Club, but I know several who are. I'm a part of the Dead Moms Club instead. So many of us as workaholics are often doing work over spending time with our families and friends, and your reminder to do so as much as possible is well deserved and appreciated. Remember to spend time with the people who made you are who you are, your family.

By: ShellyKramer

ShellyKramer — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:45:53 +0000

That's tough, Michelle and I can't imagine how hard that must have been as a kid, during already trying years. That's the thing about life – we have to just take the cards we're dealt – but sometimes they stink. Thanks for the read, my friend.

By: ShellyKramer

ShellyKramer — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:44:37 +0000

Thanks, Diana. That must've been horrid – I can't even imagine. I'm at that age, apparently, when all my friends' parents are starting to get older (as are my own) and this post was as much a reminder for me than anything. Glad you liked

By: Diana Adams

Diana Adams — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:38:51 +0000

Shelly,

Thank you for this touching post. My own father died, in front of me, in 2005. It was heartbreaking to say the least and you are right, now all I have are the memories. However, over the past several years, I've learned to squeeze almost the same amount of love out of those memories as I did in 'real life.'

You always seem to hit the nail on the head.

Diana Adams

By: mmangen

mmangen — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:55:58 +0000

I agree – take time to appreciate your dad while he's still here. I lost mine, unexpectedly, when I was in high school and there are times I still miss him a lot. Sadly he will never meet any of his grandchildren and we have the challenge of trying to explain him to our kids – the ones without a grandpa.

By: Brian McDaniel

Brian McDaniel — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:55:30 +0000

A bit of a change of pace for you, Shelly, but still a wonderful post. And a needed reminder. My dad is one of my closest friends and was diagnosed with prostate cancer a few years back. In 2007 the doctors told him he had anywhere from 2-10 years to live and it's been a bit rough ever since, although with treatment he is pretty much still feeling okay. At the time we lived in the same city (Honolulu) so I was able to see and hang out with him often, but a year ago we moved to Florida and it has been REALLY difficult to keep up as much as I would like.

Thanks to your post I am making a resolution to try harder and not lose this time that I do have. I am deeply saddened whenever I think about the time when I will no longer be able to simply hear his voice.

Thank you for this. You hit another home run with me.