Best and worst Christmas since living here.
Dec 26th 2006, 11:24 pm
#16
who turned out the light?
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: WA
Posts: 7,997
Re: Best and worst Christmas since living here.
I am truly sorry to hear your sad news. My thoughts and condolences go out to you and your family.
Hope all your travel arrangements will go smoothly for you all.
Hope all your travel arrangements will go smoothly for you all.
Dec 27th 2006, 12:05 am
#17
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Re: Best and worst Christmas since living here.
Thank you all so much for the replies although California Dreaming was a bit ambivalent and obviously has never lost a parent. I only hope when he does no one is as unfeeling toward him ...... No I am not 60 yet but even if I were I would always be that little boy who lost his Daddy.
Dec 27th 2006, 1:07 am
#18
Account Closed
Joined: Oct 2003
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Re: Best and worst Christmas since living here.
Originally Posted by Patrick Hasler
Thank you all so much for the replies although California Dreaming was a bit ambivalent and obviously has never lost a parent. I only hope when he does no one is as unfeeling toward him ...... No I am not 60 yet but even if I were I would always be that little boy who lost his Daddy.
So true Patrick, you are always a child to your parents and the loss of a parent is so very hard whatever age you are.
Safe journey home mate, and safe journey back to the loving and thoughtful family you have here. Take care.
Dec 27th 2006, 1:38 am
#19
Sursum corda
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Richmond Hill, GA USA
Posts: 38,860
Re: Best and worst Christmas since living here.
It's been 14 years since I lost my Dad and Christmas is a time that I always honor his memory especially-it was his favorite holiday-he loved to sit there and watch everyone else open their presents. Strange thing, he lost HIS father on Christmas Eve..... 
I am so sorry Patrick-do take care. You are fortunate in having a lovely sounding wife to cherish and support you.
I am so sorry Patrick-do take care. You are fortunate in having a lovely sounding wife to cherish and support you.
Dec 27th 2006, 1:39 am
#20
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Aspen, CO
Posts: 9,845
Re: Best and worst Christmas since living here.
I am really sorry for your loss, it is never easy to lose a parent but this time of the year makes it harder somehow. You will feel better eventually, it just takes a bit of time. I try to always look at the bright side (there is always a bright side even when it's very hard to see it).. if my parents live to be over 90 I'll consider myself very lucky to have them for so long.. not many people live that long..
I'd been wondering if you were ok as I haven't seen you in the forums lately and I am happy to hear from you again, I just wish that the circumstances were different and you had a happy reason to start a thread.. but this is life, we take things as they come and we try to make the most of what we do have..
Best wishes for the New Year for you and yours, my thoughts and prayers are with you X
I'd been wondering if you were ok as I haven't seen you in the forums lately and I am happy to hear from you again, I just wish that the circumstances were different and you had a happy reason to start a thread.. but this is life, we take things as they come and we try to make the most of what we do have..
Best wishes for the New Year for you and yours, my thoughts and prayers are with you X
Dec 27th 2006, 2:18 am
#21
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: primordial swamp
Posts: 232
Re: Best and worst Christmas since living here.
Patrick, I am very sorry to hear of your loss. Have a safe
trip back home . You and your family will be in my prayers tonight.
trip back home . You and your family will be in my prayers tonight.
Dec 27th 2006, 6:20 am
#22
medusas peligrosas
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Couch Potato Land
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Re: Best and worst Christmas since living here.
We're so sorry to hear of your sad loss Patrick. Sincere condolences.
Dec 27th 2006, 6:40 am
#23
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Re: Best and worst Christmas since living here.
sorry for your lose Patrick
Dec 27th 2006, 2:22 pm
#24
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 22,105
Re: Best and worst Christmas since living here.
Deepest sympathies.....
Dec 27th 2006, 2:28 pm
#25
Blondie22
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,738
Re: Best and worst Christmas since living here.
Originally Posted by Patrick Hasler
My darling wife 'Kate' has been alone preparing for my best Christmas since living here as I worked away for a month and got back here Christmas eve shattered and worn out.
While I was away I got a call from the UK telling me my 91 year old Dad was very ill, I stayed in touch by phone regularly but I was told that he sometimes seemed to be his old self.
I came home to a Christmas you would never belive, crackers, McVitties choclate home wheat, Cadburys flakes, mince pies, ginger beer, a St George flag, a tin of mushy peas A BOX OF MALTESERS I have been given a real English holiday (10 days off)................ This is what Christmas is all about.
I phoned Northampton General hospital Christmas morning to be told "Don't worry or rush to get on a plane, your father is sitting up chatting and has eaten breakfast and Christmas dinner. ........... The day was complete as it could be.
Today (Boxing day) I get call to tell me he died.
I am beside myself with grief and my darling wife thinks it his her fault because I would be there if not for her. ............ I told her that her and the kids are the future hard though it may make me seem.
Virgin Atlantic have told us they will do what the can to get the lowest ticket costs but they need the actuall flight times and a copy of the death certificate.
If I am not on for a while you will understand.
While I was away I got a call from the UK telling me my 91 year old Dad was very ill, I stayed in touch by phone regularly but I was told that he sometimes seemed to be his old self.
I came home to a Christmas you would never belive, crackers, McVitties choclate home wheat, Cadburys flakes, mince pies, ginger beer, a St George flag, a tin of mushy peas A BOX OF MALTESERS I have been given a real English holiday (10 days off)................ This is what Christmas is all about.
I phoned Northampton General hospital Christmas morning to be told "Don't worry or rush to get on a plane, your father is sitting up chatting and has eaten breakfast and Christmas dinner. ........... The day was complete as it could be.
Today (Boxing day) I get call to tell me he died.
I am beside myself with grief and my darling wife thinks it his her fault because I would be there if not for her. ............ I told her that her and the kids are the future hard though it may make me seem.
Virgin Atlantic have told us they will do what the can to get the lowest ticket costs but they need the actuall flight times and a copy of the death certificate.
If I am not on for a while you will understand.
So very sorry Patrick.
My heart goes out to you and your family, the very best to you.
Dec 27th 2006, 2:50 pm
#26
WTF?
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Homeostasis
Posts: 79,367
Re: Best and worst Christmas since living here.
Originally Posted by Patrick Hasler
Thank you all so much for the replies although California Dreaming was a bit ambivalent and obviously has never lost a parent. I only hope when he does no one is as unfeeling toward him ...... No I am not 60 yet but even if I were I would always be that little boy who lost his Daddy.
Unfortunately, some people seem to think they know how the death of a loved one should effect others ...... simply because that is how they would react. More often than not though ..... you will be moved beyond belief by the incredible kindness and generosity of people.
Dec 27th 2006, 5:48 pm
#27
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Re: Best and worst Christmas since living here.
Originally Posted by Leslie66
More often than not though ..... you will be moved beyond belief by the incredible kindness and generosity of people.
Dec 27th 2006, 9:08 pm
#28
Who?
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Stepford
Posts: 3,098
Re: Best and worst Christmas since living here.
So sorry to hear about your dad. It is never the right time, doesn't matter how old you are, it's your dad.... and mums and dads are irreplaceable.
Dec 27th 2006, 9:28 pm
#29
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,023
Re: Best and worst Christmas since living here.
I am very sorry to hear about the death of your dad Patrick. It's the phone call ex-pats dread...you must be feeling dreadful. My mum is almost 87 and she is very frail...I shall be visiting her next month.
Take no notice of Ca Dreamin'...he's already shown himself to be a bit of a pratt.
Take no notice of Ca Dreamin'...he's already shown himself to be a bit of a pratt.
Dec 29th 2006, 9:08 am
#30
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Joined: Feb 2004
Location: Mid West >> UK
Posts: 1,239
Re: Best and worst Christmas since living here.
So sorry to hear of your loss Patrick, will be thinking of you. I must say when I lost my Nan the well wishers who said oh 75 she had a good innings, really upset me the most. Its not about someones age, its just them you miss.