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AndyT

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  1. Amy, Sounds like your family had a birthday celebration that would have made your Dad proud. I'm sure he was watching & smiling! I would the 12:30 alarm as Dad's approval of the day. We've had 2 similar things late night electrical appliance items (stereo & baby toys) go off since my Dad died and we've looked at both as signs from him. Peace.....Andy
  2. Sorry I haven't been logged on much since Dad passed in January of this year. (Hard to believe he's been gone almost 10 months now). Anyway we just recieved some "good" news today that I thought I'd pass along. The VA has completed their review of Dad's file and determined that his Vietnam service may have been a contributing factor in his lung cancer. I assume it's between the Agent Orange and his unknowing participation in Project Shad. Either way they have determined Mom is entitled to free medical care at VA hospitals and eligible for up to $1100/month for the rest of her life. $1 million/month couldn't replace Pops, but at least it is some help to mom and an acknowledgement of possible involvement. (I admit I'm sick of the, "oh he was a smoker" remark). If you know vets that are in this fight or lost it, please contact your local VA to see if they can be of service to them or their loved ones. Please know I think and pray for all on this board. Peace......Andy PS - Another update, the twins arrived in March via emergency C-section. Connor Byrne and Kellie Aidyn are real joys. Somehow, someway....I know Pops visits them often.
  3. Amy.....So sorry to hear your loss, but a peaceful moment will hopely help you and the whole family. All of you will be in my prayers. Andy
  4. Amy, I haven't been here for the last 2 months and wasn't aware of your Dad's progression. I've thought of e-mailing you several times, but just couldn't do it. I am so sorry to hear this. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers. Wishing you all peace. Andy
  5. AndyT

    She's here

    Somehow I missed this... CONGRATS!!!!
  6. AndyT

    Aaron

    Julia.,,,I am so sorry. Aaron's wit always showed in his posts and will be missed by many. Hoping and praying you find peace. Andy
  7. So sorry for your loss. Wishing good memories of your friend will always fill your heart & mind.
  8. AndyT

    Full circle...

    Michele, Thanks so much for the inspiration. It has only been 5 weeks since we lost my Dad, but your family's story is very hopeful. My wife had 2 failed pregnancies over the past year and now we are being blessed w/twins. They are my first, so having dad there would have been my proudest moment. Unfortunately that wasn't in the cards for us either. A close friend of mine told me that we are being given the twins because Dad had to leave. So it's nice to hear the thought again. In the 5 short weeks we have already seen things beginning to move on. Thank you for the hope! Andy
  9. AndyT

    Signs

    WOW is all I can say. I never USED to be a believer in signs, but I'm finding it harder to disbelieve. To see that after mentioning it, would be very tough to say "Oh that's just a coincidence", especially if it happened multilple times.
  10. AndyT

    Valentine's Day Vent

    Agreed, just never thought about it in that way until I read all your posts. Also glad to hear that there is at least one other dense man out there.
  11. AndyT

    Valentine's Day Vent

    Teri, I debated about replying, but decided I'd throw this out there. I was very worried about my Mom spending her first Valentines Day alone. I couldn't find the "right" thing to do, so I left it with a simple call. However I believe most people are honestly concerned how someone will deal with their first Valentine's Day without that special person. And many will try to do whatever to make our loved ones day a little easier. I personally would have never even thought "Stalker" when reading Admirer. Maybe that's because I'm a man, live in a low crime area, I'm a little "dense" or a combination of them all. I just honestly would never have thought that, however after reading all your posts I can see how someone could (and probably should) feel that way. Kind of sad our world has come to that, but it is a reality we must all live in. I hope and want to believe the card was sent by a well meaning but misguided person. I believe if you make it known how concerned you are; the person(s) that sent it will let you know it was meant to know you are not forgotten on V-day, not to scare the heck out of you. Andy
  12. Sorry for you loss, but it sounds very much like you honored and celebrated her life in a wonderful way. There is no "right" way to grieve the loss of a loved one. Do what is right for you! Andy
  13. Will, so sorry for your loss. Wishing you find peace. Andy
  14. Michele, My children aren't here yet, so I can't really comment to the fear for them yet. However, my thoughts about death have been rapidly changing since I lost my dad. The fear of death doesn't seem as scary as it used to, not sure why but it doesn't. I was never a believer in signs, but some things have happened that are making me question that now. Doing some real soul searching as to what exactly I believe now. Not sure if I'll truely get used to him not around, but I make a point of "talking" to him almost every day. It may not do any good, but seems like as good as a substitute as I have found to keep him in my life. Either that or I'm losing my sanity. Hang in there and wishing you the very best.
  15. AndyT

    It's Over.

    #9: Dad died on his father’s birthday. I went to the youth bowling this morning. This is the same one that Dad & I coached for so many years together. It is time to start slipping back into the world and I figured this was a safe easy way to do it. If I couldn’t stand it, I could slip out and nobody would mind. I didn’t do a whole heck of a lot, just took up space, shook some hands and collected hugs. However. I MADE IT! Life has started again, it will never be the same but I don’t think I want it to be. Dad was much a huge part of my life that going back to the “same” wouldn’t be right. Life can still be good….just very different. I want to thank Katie and Rick for these boards. I also want to thank ALL of you for your kind words, encouragement and tolerance of all my raving over the last 8 days. I don’t think I could have survived this if I didn’t have a place to put all of this. In fact I'm sure I couldn't have. Over the years I always hoped and dreamed that I’d pass before my father because I didn’t think I had the strength to survive his loss. Somehow I found the strength by typing away here. Not only did I survive, but I’ve also learned something about myself. I can actually relate my feelings to others, maybe not in the conventional way but I can do it. This was never “me”. I’ve never seemed to be able to express myself, so I’ve always kept my feelings to myself. I huge part of me died last Friday, but somehow I’ve discovered a small new part. Who knows….maybe someday I can show that part without a keyboard. The hole in my heart will never go away, but I can and WILL survive it. I pray, that I become half the man my father was…I pray, that he will continue to watch and be proud of me…..and I pray that I may get an occasional sign from him so I can him in my life. Love and miss you Pops!!! I also pray that everyone finds a way to grow and survive in this life regardless of how impossible it seems. Take care of yourselves and let everyone know how important they are in your life and make as many memories as possible…………..God Bless all of you, AndyT
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