Reply to How old were you when your parents died?

Forum Index » Family Relationships

Reply to "How old were you when your parents died?"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote]I lost my mom when I was 23, she was 53. She died after a 4-year battle with cancer (diagnosed when I was in college). She never met my husband or son. It was hard losing my only parent (haven't seen my father since I was 4). The realization that I lost the one person in the world who loved me unconditionally was really tough. I feel like there is a lot about her that I will never know. At the same time, I feel so fortunate to have had her in my life as long as I did, even during our rough patch when I was in high school.

Knowing I'd never have a safety net, I worked really hard in school and was careful with my money. I have more financial freedom now, and it makes me sad that I can't share it with her. She had colon cancer, which in hindsight I suspect was brought on by her poor diet and eating issues, so I also make it a point to eat healthy and exercise. However, with each passing year, I am more and more aware that I am approaching the age she was when she was diagnosed and later died.

Having my own child ended up filling part of the void that has existed ever since my mom died. I didn't expect that to ever happen.

Fourteen years after her death, and I still bawl like a baby whenever I hear the songs we chose for her funeral. Going to church always reminds me of her and it's not easy for me, which is why I don't go often.

I am also much more aware of my mortality than most other people I know who haven't lost a parent. I write letters to my son every so often, so that he will know things about our family and his life if there ever comes a point when he is curious and I am not around to answer questions. I try to be grateful for my life and my family, even if things aren't perfect. [/quote]

I'm the OP and had a similar experience (mom died shortly after I graduated college after a 4 year battle with recurrent cancer, though she was first diagnosed a decade before that). I can only imagine how hard it would have been to go through something like that without another parent or other family in the picture. I also from time to time write letters to my children for the same reason. If they ever lose me, I want them to know both how much I loved them, and the little details of our family history that would be lost if I wasn't around. I also find myself sharing family stories with them often - both about my mom who they will never know, and stories from their own past, as I really treasure the memories I have of my own early childhood and find myself often wishing my mom was around to fill in more.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics