It took me a while to find the right way to begin this post.

My dad was a strong man, I looked up to him and respected him and will always remember him for his strength. Whatever knocks he took, he would waste no time in picking himself up again.

I will try to be the same. To remember him in this way. Not to follow, but to take my own path carrying with me what he gave me. I hope my own children can one day do the same.

Thank you dad for giving me strength in my heart and soul.

You know that I wish you nothing but happiness...and you know where I am

I'd say you are doing so, you just might not see it yourself at the moment. He probably didn't at the time either.

Hang on in there. There will be light at the end of that tunnel and I'm fairly sure it won't be a train.

Good thinking. You show strong will.

Wise words, not sure whats happened Gedge.

Lifes like a game of cards. Sometimes ya hands shit, sometimes your a winner, at the end of the day, you played cards... thats the important thing

My dear friend Chris

You are strong. Just because sometimes your emotions show, it doesn't make you weak. You are one of the strongest people I've had the fortune to cross paths with.

What an awful time you must be going through, you have my deepest, most sincerest condolences.

Sending you light for what must be a dark time.

Kx

Chris,

I know I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you but I think you are an amazing guy. I know that you possess a great strength within you and no matter what you will always do the right thing. I feel honoured to know you, even if that's just in cyber world.

Whatever it is that is troubling you, I know you are strong enough to get through it, and if you feel that you aren't -well we are here to help along when ever you need us.

When you don't think you can carry on come to us, we will walk beside you and help you along the way.

Mate I have never met you, but have chatted with you on here via posts and pm. And let me tell ya if your kids take after there Daddy then by god and they are going to be fantastic individuals. Keep it up bud.....luv ya Hxxxxxx PS Wish I had the privilage of knowin ur dad

Lovely. very honest, respectful & from a loving son...

Nuff said.

A gift to be passed on through generations, and a fine example to learn from

eve

Hey , my bro sorry to hear about your loss, no doubt you father will be looking down on you feeling so proud of you.Your a lovley man and a fantastic father.
Take care chris
Mandy xx

Sounds to me like you're down in your bootstraps Toper.

Occassionally we step in a pancake and find that life throws us a curly wurly.
Why ? is the question.
Fark knows but there is never a right and wrong answer. Oh that it should be that easy.

We forever stand at a crossroads it's just that some seem larger than others. The direction we take affects us, those around us, and even people we don't know yet.
Which route do we take ? What will be the decision ? If we believe in Chaos theory any slight movement will change the result of our actions.

Okay. A young lad dashes across the road after a ball and is knocked over by a bus. He sits in heaven thinking "wrong decision". However had he not followed the ball he may have lived for years and turned out to be a mass murderer and gone to hell. Knowing that outcome would he still say "wrong decision" ?

The point I'm trying to make is that we really cannot know the ultimate affect or effect of our decisions or actions.

One thing for sure though is that we do have to make them. Things do not conveniently "go away" so you have to face whatever ails you and make the decision.....and go with it wholeheartedly. Don't keep looking over your shoulder because by then Chaos will have already changed the signposts.

If you have reached one of these points, YOU have to decide and move forward. All you will achieve by idling at the crossroads is run out of petrol. Use that strength from your dad and don't regret because you will never know for sure what might have been.

Good luck Toper

I think your dad only got to be the way he was because he was a good learner....and possibly a fast one. We don't all stand up out of the crib knowing what to do and how to handle it.
The Budhists have an interesting take on it...

'Attaining enlightenment is not about embarking on some inconceivably long journey to become a resplendent godlike Buddha; it is about accomplishing a transformation in the depths of one's being.' ...

It is always the present that counts. It is what we do in the present moment that decides our future; our past causes do not govern our future as well....There is little point in dwelling on the past.

Buddhism teaches that our true strength and potential cannot be forged without hardships....

Nothing can match the strength of those whose lives have been shaped and forged through challenging and overcoming hardships. Such people fear nothing.

x

My thoughts are with you at this very sad time, sending you my sincerest condolences. C x

Sending you my deepest condolences Chris.
Your Dad did a brilliant job, you don't need to change how you are, and your own kids know what a wonderful Dad they have.
Niki X