It has taken me almost a month to get up the courage to write this post but I feel it VERY necessary. On June 9th at 10:30pm my Father, Robert Brallier, finally passed. I used to say died....."he died, she died......he is going to die." Now I say passed - because that is what happened. He slipped so gradually from this world to one of peace and happiness. He is no longer afraid or tired, in pain or frustrated. My Dad passed in the care of Forbes Hospice in Pittsburgh PA, (no doubt one of the most loving and caring places in the world.) He took his last breath with me laying on his chest, my husband and our daughter at the doorway. I love my Dad with all my heart and I am so lonely without him, but there is hope. Hope that he is in a better place, watching from where he sits now, a much better seat than the one he had been occupying for the better part of the last year.

For those of you fighting this horrible disease, I honestly and totally admire you for however you are chosing to fight the battle, or if your hopes have changed and are now under Palliative care. The death process can certainly be scary, but if you work hard to accept what life has in store for you it can be beautiful and bring you closer than ever to your loved ones.

Live each day to it's fullest, even if that means only having enough energy to tell someone you love them for in the end, that is all that matters.....love.

Thanks for listening and God Bless you all!!!

Jill

Daughter to Bob who passed from SCC of the tongue on 6/9/06

Dear Jill,

I don't think that your Father could have asked for a more beautiful remembrance of him and his journey home to Our Lord. I didn't lose my Dad to this cancer, I lost mine to a massive coronary. He knew he was going to die too. Long before the rest of us did. And in the end, the ONLY thing that mattered to him, is that we knew he loved us with all of his heart.

I know it's VERY hard in the beginning, but eventually you'll realize like I did, that now your Father is with you all the time and not just when were able to visit him. In the quiet of the night and the peacefulness of my thoughts, I talk to my Dad about all kinds of things. He comes to me in my dreams and we discuss the tough stuff over a pot of coffee, just like we did in life.

He's not gone. Don't think that for one second. He's here, just in another dimension, waiting for you in the distant future when you're ready. Until then, he will always live in your heart, in your mind, and in every good thing that you are.

You and your family will be in my daily prayers as you adjust to his absence in this world.

Love,
Lisa

Condolences to you and your family, Jill, and thankyou for your beautiful post. Your Dad was fortunate to have his loving daughter with him as he passed. As Lisa says, he will live in your heart forever. Love and light from Helen

Jill, that was such a beautiful post about your Dad. You hit the nail on the head....love is what really matters. How wonderful to have had such a special relationship between you and your Dad. I was lucky to have had a special relationship with both of my parents. They have passed now, but I know they're still with me, I can feel them all the time. My heart goes out to you during this difficult time.

God Bless You,

Shelley

Jill,
i'm glad that you had a fine relationship with your Dad. love is what it is all about.
cu,
larryb

Jill,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I lost my father last year. (not from cancer) It is very hard to let go, but when you know that they are pain free and safe it helps.

Just know that your father is with you always. Sometimes you will feel his presents.

I was sitting outside by a campfire, and all of a sudden I could smell fish! There was no fish with us. My DAD loved to fish and I use to go with him all the time. I decided the fish smell was to let me know he was there.

So if you should feel a little strange now & then or smell something that does not seem right it could be your DAD letting you know he is there.

Take care.......
Diane

Jill,

I am truly sorry to hear of your dad losing the war against this dreaded disease. I know words can not express the pain you are experiencing but hopefully you know that your father was so fortunate to have you by his side. May your heart full of love spread freely to all those needing healing right now and may He continually refill that love!

God bless,

Ed