I’ll be absent for a few days
My father passed away this morning, so I’ll be concentrating on helping my stepmother and my little sisters, as well as my own boys, get through this difficult time. He was only 54, but he’d had heart problems for some time, so it was unexpected and yet not unexpected, if that makes any sense.
This blog is one of my happy places—my sane places—to escape to so I won’t say much, other than to say he was very loved and will be greatly missed. In a few days, or perhaps after next weekend, I’ll be back online.
September 8th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
(((Shannon))), I’m so sorry for your loss. Hang in there. You will get through this trying and painful time.
September 8th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
I said it earlier. I’m so sorry, honey. You know I just went through this so I do know how you feel. It’s awful now. It will get better. You know I’m here if you need to talk. Love you.
September 8th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Dear Shannon,
I lost my father in 2002. Even if it’s expected, it’s never easy. My sympathy to you and your family. Think of all the good things about your father. It will help you get through this time. After my dad’s funeral, my brothers, sister and friends sat around telling stories about dad. We laughed, we cried but it was therapeutic.
Bev Stephans
September 8th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
Really sorry to hear this Shan. My thoughts are with you and your family.
September 8th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
I’m sorry. Hugs.
September 8th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Shannon - I am so very sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family right now. If there is anything I can do, even from a distance, you just let me know.
September 8th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Oh, Shannon, I am so sorry for your loss.
September 8th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Shannon, I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
September 8th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
I’m so sorry, Shannon!
September 8th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Oh, Shan. I’m so so sorry. Not entirely unxpected or not, it’s still an incredible loss.:hug:
September 8th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
Shan, I’m so sorry. Take care of yourself and your family. Hope to see you soon.
September 8th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
I’m so sorry for your loss.
September 9th, 2007 at 7:53 am
Many sympathies. It’s just not ever really expected, and never easy.
September 9th, 2007 at 9:37 am
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family.
September 9th, 2007 at 10:01 am
I just wanted to pop in and thank you all for your kind words. My side of the family has dwindled badly, and I’m very grateful to be going into the meeting with the funeral director bolstered by your support.
And my dad was apparently 55. This is why I’m a writer and not an accountant. And can I just say that after years of bitching about query letters and synopses, I have to admit writing my father’s obituary is the hardest thing writing I’ve ever done.
It just plain sucks, but I do take comfort from you guys, so thank you.
September 9th, 2007 at 11:16 am
Oh Shannon, I’m so very sorry for your loss. Even when it’s somewhat expected it’s still startling to lose a parent when they’re so young. My mom was just 57 when she died, so I know how very hard it is. Sincerest condolences, Shan. My heartfelt prayers are with you and your family.
September 9th, 2007 at 11:29 am
Thoughts and prayers with you. So very sorry for your loss.
September 9th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
So very sorry to hear about your loss, Shannon. My thoughts are with you and your family during such a difficult time.
September 9th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Shannon, so very sorry for you loss.
September 9th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
I’ll be thinking about you and yours, hun. Give those boys a squeeze for me, and take care of yourself, k?
Love you.
September 9th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
I’m so sorry to hear. My deepest sympathies.
It’ll be two years on 9/11 my mother had the fatal accident that led to her death four weeks later, and these days, memories are particularly strong.
But memories are also the paradise we can’t be chased out of. I hope you will have a lot of happy memories about your father that may help you through this difficult time.
September 9th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
Shannon I am so sorry for your loss, my mother has been gone 21 years now and I can say it does get a little easier as time passes. Please let me know if you need anything. I know we know each other from the online community but I’m here if you need a friend.
Please pass my condolences on to your family and know that I will keep them and you in my prayers.
September 9th, 2007 at 11:27 pm
Oh, honey — I’m so sorry. My dad was about the same age when he passed, too, but I was only 21 and some years away from having his grandbabies. At least yours got to know your wonderful guys.
Many, many hugs, to all of you.
Karen
September 10th, 2007 at 7:55 am
September 10th, 2007 at 9:19 am
I’m so sorry, Shannon :(
September 10th, 2007 at 10:01 am
You’re in our prayers here, Shannon. God bless and see you through this.
September 10th, 2007 at 10:45 am
My deepest sympathies to you and yours, Shannon.
September 10th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
i am sorry about your loss. hugs:cry:
September 10th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
Sending prayers to you and yours, Shannon.
September 10th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
You and your family are in my prayers. Hugs
September 10th, 2007 at 11:47 pm
Shan — Very sorry to hear about your loss. ((((((HUGS))))))
September 11th, 2007 at 5:28 am
Hey girl. I’m the family obit writer too. Makes me grateful I didn’t go into medical examining, but it sux nonetheless.
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Only my sis and mom are left of my family and it’s a lonely feeling. You’ll get used to it, though. And you’ll always have us.
Love ya, kid!
September 11th, 2007 at 9:52 am
Shan, I’m so sorry. I send my thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
September 11th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
{{{{Shannon}}} I am so sorry for your loss.
September 11th, 2007 at 11:17 pm
Thank you, everybody. The calling hours were tonight and it wasn’t nearly as wrenching as I’d imagined. There were so many friends and family members we hadn’t seen in so long, I was actually sad we had to leave.
The funeral’s tomorrow, and that will be much harder, not only because it’s our final goodbye, but because I’ll have my boys with me.
I can’t thank you enough for your continued well-wishes.
September 12th, 2007 at 12:13 am
Shannon,
Every other Tuesday night the Perry’s get together to play cards and enjoy one another’s company. Tonight we started the evening reminiscing about Uncle Ken and talking about all the family we have on the East Coast that we (the girls) didn’t have the opportunity to grow up with. I wanted you to know that we were thinking about you and your family tonight and that your Dad will truly be missed.
Hugs to all of you,
Cousin Jo Anne
September 12th, 2007 at 10:32 am
Dear Shannon, I’m so sorry.
I came over to jump around, but saw this. It’s hard. That expected and unexpected thing hardly matters because when it finally happens you’re never ready.
((((((hugs))))))))
September 12th, 2007 at 11:11 am
Shannon, I’m so sorry. Even when you’re expecting it, the reality is never easy.
{{hugs}} You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
September 13th, 2007 at 2:08 am
I’m so sorry for your loss. Know that your online community of friends and family are here for you.
September 13th, 2007 at 5:14 am
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss, Shannon. My condolences to you and your family. *Hugs*
September 13th, 2007 at 11:44 am
I am so sorry, Shannon. Please know we’re all thinking about you and your family in this time of loss.
September 13th, 2007 at 10:20 pm
Thank you all so much!
September 14th, 2007 at 9:03 am
So Sorry Sharon.
I’ll say a prayer for you and your family.
September 17th, 2007 at 3:45 am
Oh Shan love. I’m so sorry.
I’ve been out of blogland for a while, so I’ve only just seen this.
What Jaci said - my heart aches for you, sweetheart, and for Jaci and for me. It’s never easy. But we don’t lose what they gave us, either.
Much love to you and yours.