Among Friends

[Anonymous032819]

I am watching Easter services at St.Peter's Basilica, and am weeping.

Easter was my Dad's favorite holy day, and last year, his church had a combination Easter services/Celebration of Life for my dad.

I remember taking great pains with my hair and make-up, to make sure that everything was perfect.

It is so surreal to get dressed for your parents service.

Amazing Grace was sung and I just lost it.

When I returned home, I sat in my car and cried.

It felt weird to walk in my house and to know that everything was over, that no, the world didn't stop, nor was it going to, just because my dad had passed.

My world had forever changed, but for everyone else, life went on as usual.

I miss him!

[Mom2Dogs]

@Anonymous032819    I remember when my mom died I felt like you...my mom was dead but life around me went on, how could that be?   It was a very odd feeling.  

I would say that it took me roughly a year to work thru the grief and sadness, but the first few months were the worst.

Both parents have died, but never forgotten, and Amazing Grace, is one of my favorite hymns.

Sadly our church no longer sings hymns.

[Krimpette]

I just finished watching the mass from my church. it's been very comforting seeing my regular priets and acolytes.  But I also teared up a couple times, especially during the end of the mass.

[Vivian]

We must try to be strong. All our memories are just that...recalling what was past. We mustn't forget but we must deal with what is confronting us today. I have friends and family who are crushed by what is happening, even though nobody they know has been hit by the virus. An article I read compared dealing with Covid19 to the grieving process. We are all mourning the loss of what went before. I don't know what we'll confront after this is behind us but we must be ready to deal with it.

[on the bay]

I remember that feeling so well too.

How can the world just go on as if nothing had happened! Shouldn't everyone stop and take notice or pause? The trees and everything looking the same!

I was thinking today that death seems so final but then remembered for me it always is a transition from this earthly world where I can't touch or see them physically, to still being able to love someone in heaven, their spirit, and everything I know and love about them. Then I know they are there.

For awhile I used to cry everytime I went to church because I could hear my father standing next to me singing loud and proud his favorite hymns. I had to stop going for a long time.

I love Amazing Grace too

[hckynut]

@Anonymous032819 

All who have lost a beloved parent understand what you are going through on this particular day. For most, they never forget those days of losing a parent. It is from the day they died till their final goodbye, be it on a Holiday or just a typical day of the week.

My mother died on Valentine's Day, as did her mother and her father, all exactly 13 years apart. 

Sending you my sincere thoughts on this day 

hckynut 🏒

[catter70]

My sister and I were to go out today, not only because it's Easter, but because it would also have been our mom's 94th birthday. The 2 will never coincide, at least not in the next 20 years, so I'm sure we won't get another chance.I did see on the chart I looked up that in 13 or so years it will fall on my late father's birthday.

[msgb]

It is a beautiful place to celebrate mass at St Peters. I watched the program as well.

This year is different. (I know everyone is saying so).

Last year Easter was on my father's birthday and we had just recently lost him.

He loved the holidays especially when it was including family. He loved seeing the songs during mass as well.
Five yrs ago my parents and one brother and my husband and I were together with my then 1 1/2 yr old nephew. It was so cute to see my father just enjoy the little guy seeing the Easter Bunny and looking for the treats.

Wishing you all the best this Easter.

[nevergivesup]

@Anonymous032819  Know that you are “among friends” here and that many of us have shared that same grief. It doesn’t go away but over time you come to live with it and sometimes, if you are lucky, you may find your memories bring a smile or even a laugh without the pain; more like a little bittersweet tug at your heart. I am happy you had a father who loved you as sadly, so many children don’t. When my beloved father took his final breath, the quiet instrumental music in the background was playing “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”. Hearing that song today still does me in but I feel so grateful I had him for a father.

[Shanus]

@Anonymous032819   Not to diminish your real grief in any way, but what's happening and being somewhat housebound has given us all way too much time to think about sad times. I caught bits of an Easter service on TV and nothing more depressing than seeing an empty church, no one sitting in all those rows. Fathers and daughters have a special bond. He'll alway be in your heart and thoughts. Eventually, the sadness will begin to change to happy memories. I promise. I've been there, too.