[Richard Lyle Barlow]

In the spring of 1986 my father, whom I had not seen since I was seven years old due to a painful parental divorce, wrote to me from Zimbabwe (his home) and asked me to join him on a fishing trip to Lake Kariba. I wrote back to say that I was pretty tied up - maybe next year.
My father died of cancer that autumn.
I went to Zimbabwe in 1987 to wrap up his estate. I went fishing on Lake Kariba without him and sat there and wept.
I would give five years of my life to be able to turn back time, but it is impossible. I have to live with one ill-considered decision.
Carpe deum - sieze the moment. You never know if it is the last chance you will get.
When I was elected as president of MAAC last weekend, I swore I would never post on a forum again.
This will be the sole exception.
Richard Lyle Barlow

[planecrazy]

Darren buddy,

Truly sorry to here about your dad, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I lost my father to cancer 10 years ago in May. My pop wasn't much of an emotional guy (except when he was p*ssed off ) Never really made the effort to tell him that I loved him when I got older.

I'd give just about anything to be able to tell him how much I love and miss him and that he now has grandson named after him, one he never got the chance to meet.

I tell him almost everyday now, hoping he's listening.

[Midair]

Darren:

Sage advise. My sympathies to and your family and my good wishes for your dad's full and speedy recovery. I lost my dad - my best friend - five years ago to cancer. The impact of the death of a loved one diminishes with time, but never really disappears.

Peter

[reo]

We will all be touched by death one way or the other, hopefully later than sooner. A lot of good advice in this thread. I lost my Dad last May and I certainly did not let him know how I felt about him near often enough, all of a sudden it's too late.

Ron

[Pauld]

Darren,

I know exactly how you feel. 1 year ago my father arrested twice on the operating table during surgery. We almost lost him then. He has since gone thru more major surgeries with spinal cord complications and pretty much had to learn to wallk again. Not an easy task for a 79 year old man but he has pulled thru and is recovering still.

I can only hope for you that things work out as well.

My best wishes and regards,

Paul

[ronnieo]

Best wishes to your dad's recovery... as a person who lost my dad suddenly to a heart attack many years ago, and never got a chance to say goodbye, I hope things work out for you all in the future.Spend as much time as possible. Nothing is worse than hear some kid talk bad about their parents... at least they got one...

[cf-drg]

Well he's doing really good... Stood on his own two feet today .... BUT something came to me today!!!!I have never given blood, and I thought I would from now on... The old guy went through about 10 pints or more, they (the blood) saved his life... So now I have to pay it forward...