United in our Grief Forum.

Eric,

First of all, I want to say that I am so sorry for your loss. Your father was surely a great man and you were blessed to have the loving family that you did (have).

I am not sure if I fit in this forum, but wanted to share, in the hope that I can give what solace I can. Twenty years ago, at the age of 22, my husband /best friend died, at the young age of 21. We first me at 15. He was killed suddenly, in an auto accident, leaving behind two small children, ages 2 and 4, and a wife to heartbroken and terrified to face the world without him.

With God's strength, I managed, but for so long, I was simply surviving. I could not laugh or play with my children. I just found myself going through the motions of living.

Life moved on, as it is wont to do, with my grief not so poignant anymore. As time passed, I was able to think of him without the tears that used to accompany my thoughts. There are times, like when I look at a picture of my late husband that my daughter has portrayed in her room. Seeing him, even after all these years, causes me to feel my loss all over again.

So though pain and grief lessons, I don't think it ever goes away!