[Janet]

Hi Melissa, I'm so sorry to learn of your fathers' passing. My father passed when I was 18 years old of a massive heart attack, that was 34 years ago. I was my daddy's girl and he was everything to me. I will be honest with you...sometimes it hurt so bad, the missing him, that I wanted to die too. I really didn't think it would ever get better. But I promise you, it does with time.

Oh, you will still miss him and wish you could call him up to share your joys and sadness, to be able run to him just to throw your arms around his strong neck, but the pain, the sharpness, the desperation will not cut as deeply. I find when I want to talk with my dad and I do still after all this time...I find a quiet spot and talk. I know he is with me always and I know without a doubt that he sends butterflies to me. They may not always be flying around me, but they'll be there in pictures or I'll see one on someone's shirt, or hanging on wall somewhere.

The only way your father will ever leave you, is if you never think of him....from your post...you'll never have to worry about that.