caution - sad....

[Farmwife Darlene]

If you love someone - tell them. If you want to thank someone for doing something nice for you - do it. If you just want to visit and laugh again - do it. Don't wait. I didn't.

My dad passed away this afternoon. We said our good byes yesterday. The last words he said to me - "I love you too"........................ It took 47 years for him to say it but he did.........................

I debated about sharing this but I feel close to some of you and have chatted with some of you. You are all very special and I even share with my DH some of your stories and of course your prayer requests. I'm not very eloquent with my words or some of my postings but I do consider you my quilting friends. I talk about you and my children say who?! Then they laugh and say yeah right - when I say I have friends at the North Pole, MN, CA, PA and other places. I don't comment much because I always trip over my tongue and what's in the brain never comes out right either on the tongue or keyboard.

I have learned so much from each of you - I know I'll never be able to repay you for that. But thank you for sharing your stories, your successes, your disappointments so that others could learn, everything - thank you ladies and gentlemen. I appreciate each and every one of you. This chat board/room is the best. No matter what machine you have or where you're from. It's made of people who care about quilting and other people. Thank you quilters for everything.............

[miss jacque]

So sorry for your loss, but glad you got to hear the words we all long for. My prayers are with you that the Lord will grant you peace and comfort..Jacque

[quiltmonkey]

(((hugs to you sweet Darlene))) I am glad you shared this very special moment with us. I think that some men have trouble with using words, but those types (and most men) tend to show their love by actions, not words. So if you think back you will probably recall thousands of actions your dad did for his kids, his wife, etc. Men are Do-er's more than they are Say-ers.

[Mary Beth]

Darlene, I am so sorry for your loss. You said everything perfectly, don't ever think you have not. You are among friends who are like a family here. Shana is right, men have a hard time saying these words, "I love you" or "I'm sorry", but they do love you and sometimes they are sorry. But they are mostly tough guys who think that kind of stuff makes them look week. I will keep you and your family in my prayers during this difficult time.

[o2b Quilting]

My thoughts and prayers to you and your family. It is never easy to lose a loved one...even when we know it is coming soon such as during an illness. I am glad you got to hear those special words from him.

[meg]

{{{{HUGS}}}} i'm sorry for your loss but happy you got to hear those 3 powerful words.

and, btw, you sound pretty eloquent to me...

[Charmaine]

I am sorry to hear of your loss. Try to think about the cherished memories of your Dad's loving actions as well as the wonderful words that your father shared at the end. Sending prayers your way.

Charmaine

[cblevins]

As tough as it is to lose someone you love there is a certain amount of peace that comes with being able to say the things that need saying. Hugs for you and your family.

[Beachside Quilter]

Darlene:

So sorry for your loss. How caring of you to share your thoughts at this difficult time. You are so right, you are part of a very special group of quilting "family". (((hugs)))

Vickie Oliver

Beachside Quilter

APQS Rep SW FL

[Corey]

Darlene,

Thank you for expressing how you feel about this family, I am honored. Know that you are loved and my prayers are for you and yours.

Corey

[lindasewsit]

Darlene....I am so sorry for the loss of your dad! Praying for you! linda

[annaquilts]

Darlene,

Sending my deepest sympathy and my prayers for peace and healing.

I also think you sound pretty eloquent. Please keep posting !

[IBQLTN2]

Darlene

I am so sorry as well for you loss and thankful that you were able to share your thoughts with us and your sorrows. We are family here and we do talk about our fellow quilters like everyone knows who they are. I often share prayer requests with my family and they ask now who is this. I just say it doesn't matter if they know them or not because The Lord knows them and that is all that counts.

Praying for you and your family.

[Carreen]

Love and prayers to you Darlene.

Carreen

[BethDurand]

Oh Darlene,

I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm sure that your dad loves you so much, he just chose to show it in other ways. Please don't hesitate to open up to this group. I've "met" some of the greatest people here, and feel so close to so many of them. Praying for you and yours.

[witha'K'quilting]

I too am sad for your loss Darlene. Losing a parent is very difficult. Those 3 little words mean oh so much! There is nothing small about them. Hugs from Nevada and prayers that you are comforted at this time of loss.

[Hawaii]

Darlene,

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement, despite the sadness of your loss.

Prayers coming your way.

[sewcrazy4quilting]

Darlene,

So very sorry you lost your Dad. Loosing parents is soooo hard. I'm happy though, that you got to hear those most precious words ("I love you too") to cherish for the rest of your life. I was estranged from my Dad for many years but "fixed" all that a few years ago, now we visit and talk often AND tell each other "love you" every time we talk. His health is not good now, but I will always have these last few but so sweet years to warm my heart. I hope your sweet memories of you Dad will warm your heart every time you think of him. ((((HUGS))))))

[Linda G. Craig]

Darlene, my heart goes out to you and your family, I'm so sorry to hear your dear dad has passed and what a blessing that you were able to share such important words.

Never worry about how words come out amongst friends. I read an old saying years ago and I never forgot them. It goes something like this.

Friendship is being able to express and share yourself, chaff and grain all mixed together, and with a breath of comfort from a dear friend, the chaff is blown away and only the grain remains.

(((((Hugs))))) and prayers to you and your family.

[iedquilts]

Darlene, my heart goes out to you. I'm

sure hearing those last few words was

very comforting at this time.

hugs & prayers

Irene

[MarieBrewer]

God Bless you and your family and keep all of you close. I am so grateful that our family can tell each other they love each other all of the time. I thank you for reinforcing the importance of these little words.

[ffq-lar]

I hope your family can find peace and comfort each other after the loss of your dear father. Keep the good memories close.

You expressed yourself beautifully, Darlene.

[DawnCavanaugh]

Darlene,

Our thoughts are with you during this tough time. You were blessed to be able to say goodbye to your dad, tell him how you feel, and hear the words you longed to hear all those years. I understand how you are feeling right now. I spent a month caring for my dad when he chose to stop dialysis and spend his remaining days at home. While it was the most difficult thing I have ever done, like you I realized that I was blessed to be able to say what I wanted to say and had the time to do so. Most people are not so lucky and your advice to tell those you care about how you feel...right now...is right on!

I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

[sewlinzi]

Sad and sorry for your loss and pleased that you had the opportunity for a loving goodbye.

[Quilting Heidi]

Darlene,

I'm so sorry for your loss but so glad that you had the time to say goodbye and those are three words that you will never forget. I lost my dad 7 years ago and didn't get the chance and still wish I had. ((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))) to you and thanks for sharing.