Remembering loved ones.

I remember my parents and my husband every single day. They are a part of my daily life- thinking about them and the good times we shared. I set aside a few minutes each day to dedicate to them. Just thinking of the normal, everyday things they did and I feel close to them for a while.

I lost my precious mum in may this year and I believe part of her is with me in my heart helping me through this. My poor dad had a a breakdown and is slowly coming back to us. I have no brothers or sisters but a wonderful husband and fantastic family and friends. It's music that brings back the memories but I love to think about her she had dementia and I thank god who I firmly believe in that she knew us all till the very end . she died holding my hand. I believe she is back to her lovely self before the awful illness and is now organising tea and biscuits with everyone in heaven.

I think about mt dad, mum and husband every day. I was with mum and my dh when they died. It was very hard.

When I was walking down the long corridor after my husband died I saw my parents at the end smiling quietly and waving gently at me. Probably a grief reaction but a very precious memory.

I also remember standing on a stairway somewhere in the hospital where my husband was terminally ill. My dil and little gd1 were there and the little girl who was only just over a year old suddenly leant over and put out her arms to me.

Lost my son September 3rd 2007 he was murderd by his partner she had mental health problems and he would not leave our GD. So it was a terrible death whic I have never got over although over the years I have learnt to cope its not easy. My sons birthday is 13th October ironic he was born on that day too. Friday 13th 1972 used to say it was a lucky day but of course it wasn't in the end. I usually buy a balloon and let it go in the woods opposite where we live. I will never see him again I am not religious so I know that. I am a guardian to his d and that hers me.

Sheilasue

I am lucky I had my parents for a long time, Dad was 92 and Mum 85, my poor Brother died when he was just forty, I have such happy memories, and know one day we will all meet again, and have a celebration party, we will all love that.

When we can, one of my brothers and I get together on what would have been our step mother's birthday and celebrate. Last year, on what would have been her 99th birthday we ate crab sandwiches on the pier at Oban. This year, we'll be a month late but Oban again and she'll be with us.

My darling grandson Kian who was born sleeping on 19/12/13. I have a soft linen candle and light this on October 15th , on his birthday and Christmas day. I too believe that he is being looked after by my parents and in laws and I will see him again some day.

I was only 23 when my DF died, too young (he was 49), my DM re-married to my adored Step-Father who died 17 years ago, sad that neither of them met my DGS.

My DD was born on my DGD's Birthday - I hadn't thought of his Birthday until then & it was almost the first thing DM said to me

My DH passed away 3 1/2 years ago, I often think of him, silly jokes or things that we would both have laughed at, rarely with sadness, only thing that makes me sad is that he's missing seeing our DGS grow up - but we talk about him to keep his memory alive (they adored each other)

My DM is now 87, she always says she's not sure what is worse - losing a Parent when you're young or having them around for most of your life (I am 61), I hope she lives for many more years but...

I don't have a systematic belief system. So much of organised religion seems so bonkers and does not encourage acceptance of other cultures and beliefs.
However, I have had 3 experiences that make me believe in reincarnation.
.my very down to earth Father had a near death experience when having an operation for cancer.
I had an out of body experience myself when giving birth to a still born child -- was transported back to a previous time when I was dying in childbirth -- it appeared to be the 1920s or 30s.
Then my daughter between the ages of 2 and 3 years started to describe to me incidents that occurred to her "in another time when I was a grown up". Things she described were outside the experience of a toddler and made the hairs stand up on my neck. I had the strong feeling aI should just listen and not question her at all. (For instance she described a time when she was the mother of an adult son).
My own mother, on her death bed saw her siblings who were killed in the War so I guess that is support for a least a time of respite before the next life.

SheilaSue you have such a burden to carry; I hope you finally have some peace. xx

and {{{{hugs}}}} for all those of you with more difficult losses and pain to live with.

I have no graves or memorials for my parents, DM died aged 61 and DF at 65 when I was in my 30s. Mum's ashes scattered at the crem but Dad's we took up to Yorkshire to a favourite place they enjoyed together. I try to go there every 5 years or so.
But they are with me all the time in my mind..when my DGC do something funny I tell them their GGPs would be laughing... they both adored my 2 DDs and would have loved their 4 DGS too who were born after their deaths. I try to live up to their expectations & values still..the best way to honour them

NanKate, I believe in an afterlife it makes me feel better somehow.
I am now 57, the age my mother was when she died suddenly. I have been tested for hereditory factors. I don't have them. I have been thinking about mum a lot since my birthday, and also my dad and my daughter. I take comfort knowing that they are all together.

I will be wearing a poppy on Thursday and thinking of my Grandfather who was killed in the Somme 100 years ago on the 13th, he was 28 (his 3 brothers were killed in the same week as he was). The older I get the more I think of them.

My daughter often says that my mum has been to c her. They had a close bond. Watching Norman wisdom on TV a couple of days ago made me think of dad. He loved Norman wisdom. It made me think about what sad lives both my parents had. I feel I understand much more about them as I grow older myself.

Wow, Whanau1, that is fascinating. Thanks for sharing.