off topic but please hug your children and tell them you love them today

[Sunny37]

Just saw this post and I wanted to offer my prayers as well.

We lost our 15 year old son, Zachary, in a car accident 3 years ago--I know all too well the pain you are feeling. Right after Zachary passed away, we received a phone call from someone else who had lost his child. His message still resonates with me--you will make it--you may not want to, it will be painful, and life will certainly never be the same--but you WILL make it.

Your family will be in our prayers.

 

[PolynesianPixie]

still praying for you, Dan.....

 

[DisneyBishops]

Thank you all

 

[des1954]

Dan - You sound like a little healing is beginning. You have a tough road ahead of you - so it's just one moment at a time. That's enough to deal with. Remember - Jeff was God's child first - He just loaned him to you for 18 years - and aren't you glad He did? Relish the memories, good & bad. Jeff continues in the hearts of those who loved him - so he's just absent in the body, Dan. His spirit lives on.

Keeping you in my prayers, and hope to see you at the Fort sometime this year. I'll be glad to listen to all your Jeff stories!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

I agree, Deb....Id REALLY like to meet with Dan as well.....Dan....you be SURE to let us know when youre ready for a trip, and Im sure you'll have PLENTY of company rearranging things just to be able to meet you at the Fort....I know I will if at all possible!

 

[AuburnJen92]

Dan, just say the word and I will come up and listen as long as you want me to. I know I am the closest, and I will be more than happy to lend an ear at any time. You just let me know. Also, count me in on the Fort list as well, or the Manatee Hammock list, you name it.

 

[DisneyBishops]

Thank you all. Just not sure when camping will be in the cards again. Jeff parked our moho about a month ago and I just haven't moved it since.

For some reason today was a tough day. Don't know why it just was and still is. Stopped by a truck at a red light today. On the windows it had RIP Jeff. I am at the computer with tears in my eyes tonight. I know we will make it, and life will never be the same. I don't think i will ever be the same. But we will make it.

Tiff has games tomorrow and that seems to help some. At least it seems normal. If that is possible. Jeff always cooked on the grill at the games. I cooked last weekend, but no as well as he always did.

Sorry to ramble

Hey Rog we did meet last Halloween albeit only for a few minutes. we were in 800 loop.

 

[BRDof3]

Stop being sorry for rambling. We're trying to keep you doing that, in case you haven't noticed. One day at a time, that's all you can do. Ramble whenever and as long as you want. Call it kungaloosh and nonsense therapy.

 

[LORNADUCK]

Dan, you are not rambiling at all. You are coming to your fiends to listen to you and help you thru this. Count me in on that list to meet you where ever if and when you decide to camp again. I am not that far from you, so call on me as well if you need company to cry, tell stories of Jeff, laught or scream, I will be there. You still are in my thoughts every day, and my heart aches with you, but take each day 1 at a time.
Wow your Son has left his mark, I know that it brought you to tears, but you have to feel so proud to see a truck with that on it. He will always be in a lot of peoples hearts.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

....Stopped by a truck at a red light today. On the windows it had RIP Jeff......

WOW...now THATS a testament to how GREAT a guy Jeff really was. You know kids that age take their vehicles very seriously, and to dawn it with Jeff's memory....man...Dan...you raised one hell of a kid there!!!!

Hey Rog we did meet last Halloween albeit only for a few minutes. we were in 800 loop.

Ya know...I had forgotten all about that!!! YES...we sure as heck did meet!!!!! Im a 'tard for not remembering.....I met soo many dis'ers that week that alot of it was a blur!!!But I definately remember...you were on the left side of the road, just a few sites down form Seabee's site!!! I wish I had taken the time to get off that stupid cart and spend more than a brief Hello with you.

 

[auntie]

Hey Dan, thanks for checking in and sharing your thoughts with us. It must have been tough cooking at the game. Jeff would be proud. A new "normal"..whatever that is. It's the little everyday things that are the most difficult. Nothing is quite the same. There is no "normal" to get back to. You're basically feelin' your way through..and makin' it up as you go along. It's so out of the natural order of things..there really isn't a right or wrong. What works for one person..can be like salt in the wound for another. Sounds like you're trying to give your daughter what she needs. Helping her, will help you.
I'm not sure if this applies to you, but I wanted to say that you may find that it's difficult for the family to grieve together. While the loss is shared, what may comfort you.. may be salt in the wound to your wife or daughters. Respect their wishes, as you would have them yours..but don't let them push you away. Sometimes, you will have to fight for the family you still have. It's worth saving.
I know my husband, God Bless him..I will love him for eternity..because I did try to push him away, but he kept on comin' back for more. I'd like to say that was for a short time..but it wasn't. He hung in there..and I'm grateful, because we wouldn't have the family we have today, if he hadn't stuck around when most men would have walked. I was angry, shattered, and broken. He was patient, and put me back together, all the while dealing with his own grief. I hope I haven't intruded or overstepped too much. I have only an inkling of what you're going through..as I didn't have nearly the time with my daughter that you had with your boy. Thank you for coming here and sharing his life with us. It is a privilege to read your words.
Don't be thrown by having a bad day..., and don't feel guilty when you have a good one.(because that will happen too) That will be your boy, telling you he's okay.

 

[RvUsa]

Still thinking of you every day Dan, I really wish there was more I could do, but know that we are all here for you. I've said it before, never apologize to us, I know I am proud to call you my friend, and as your friend I would do anything for you.

 

[VACAMPER]

Still thinking about you everyday, i pray your pain eases with time and wonderful memories make you smile.

 

[Just Beachy]

Dan....maybe you will think this is stupid, but.....I had a VERY sick dog the past couple of days. She is a Rottweiler and she's 13 1/2 yrs old, which is pretty ancient for her breed. I really thought she wasn't going to make it the other night. I was trying to be positive, but in the back of my mind, with everything that her body was going through, I was terrified I was losing her. Well, thankfully, she is pulling through and seems to be making a nice recovery. This morning I was praying and thanking God for His blessings (since I wasn't lucky enough to be blessed with kids, my animals are my kids) and Jeff just popped into my head. Like... POPPED in!! I KNOW he had a hand in her recovery. I don't know how I know it, I just do. The feeling I got was SO strong that, to me, it couldn't be anything else.

 

[PolynesianPixie]

Dan....maybe you will think this is stupid, but.....I had a VERY sick dog the past couple of days. She is a Rottweiler and she's 13 1/2 yrs old, which is pretty ancient for her breed. I really thought she wasn't going to make it the other night. I was trying to be positive, but in the back of my mind, with everything that her body was going through, I was terrified I was losing her. Well, thankfully, she is pulling through and seems to be making a nice recovery. This morning I was praying and thanking God for His blessings (since I wasn't lucky enough to be blessed with kids, my animals are my kids) and Jeff just popped into my head. Like... POPPED in!! I KNOW he had a hand in her recovery. I don't know how I know it, I just do. The feeling I got was SO strong that, to me, it couldn't be anything else.

Still caring...still helping....just on a whole new level.

Thanks for sharing that, Kelly. That's awesome! I'm really glad for you and your Rotty, too!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Wow....Dan has told us about Jeff's love for animals and volunteering with the animal shelters.....Im sure he knows youve been praying for Dan.....talk about heaven's helping hand!!!! Thats pretty awesome!!!

 

[AuburnJen92]

That is an awesome story. It made my morning. Thanks for sharing!

 

[vick]

Thank you for sharing that with us all, Kelly.

 

[BRDof3]

Kelly and Dan, I gotta meet you one day.

 

[3gr8kids]

Kell, that's great she's doing better! I bet you're right about Jeff maybe having something to do with it, as at that age, dog's usually don't bounce back so quickly after being so sick. What a nice, warm feeling knowing someone is looking out for her
Now I need a tissue.