The five stages of grief
1. Denial
2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance
1
There has been no denial…
…there was no doubt death was coming
2
There has been anger…
…but it’s an exhausting emotion
3
There was a little bargaining…
…too close to self-blaming to be tolerated for long
4
There is depression…
…that ‘happy memory’ thief that sneaks into your heart in the dark
5
There will be acceptance…
…a state of being both wanted and feared at the same time
♥
Remembering the good times, the happy times, is not hard
there are so very many of them
Remembering I am not alone is not easy
until I hear the sadness in the voice on the other end of the phone
Remembering he is gone takes the joy out of the day
until I remember too, how much of him is left within me
Forgetting that he lived and loved and was loved in return is not an option
especially when remembering his legacy to all of us was ∴
♥
Live like it’s your last day
Love like it’s your last chance
Regret Nothing
♥
50 Shades of Gray Hair 
Oh Rhonda, so beautifully put. You are never alone my friend. Never. ♥♥♥
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♥♥♥ I do know Yvonne, just hard to remember sometimes because we are all so far apart. Thank you my friend
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Yes, but souls connect easily without worry for distance. ♥
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Very true and well worth the reminder. xo
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Beautiful, beautiful post; he was and is still very proud of you, my friend x
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I sure hope so Tink. He was one person I never wanted to disappoint. Thank you xo
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I think he was a big fan of yours especially your pics as am I, of course
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♥
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Such a beautiful, warm post. Especially the sentiment “Remembering he is gone takes the joy out of the day until I remember too, how much of him is left within me”. May he always be with you.
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Thank you dear Andrew…yes, may he always be and may I always remember it.
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Andrew said what I was going to say. Lovely.
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Thank you guys. xo
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You are your father’s daughter – in deed and heart…xo
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Aw, that makes me weepy Mim…but in a good way. I AM my father’s daughter and it IS something I’m very proud of, and thankful for…as I am for you. xo
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I’m so sorry for your loss and I know it is very difficult for you. Remembering your dad will make you cry but sometimes those tears will turn into smiles and maybe even some laughter. Your dad will always be a part of you and that can not be taken away. The picture of him is such a happy one. He was smiling with no effort and looks to be happy as a lark. You’ll feel his presence when you least expect it. Blessings to you, dear Rhonda.
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Oh Yvonne…thank you so much. Yes…that was a very happy day indeed, and that smile is one he’s shown a thousand, thousand times. I do smile as the tears roll, and I do laugh when I think of the stories that born story teller used to tell…and I cry again when I think of his last days, but thank God again that I was there. There is soooo much going on in my head and my heart…I want to honor him with all the love I have, and don’t like to think of him seeing me cry…but there it is…one big smiling, laughing, crying, mess.
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Beautifully put, Rhonda. I think you are definitely a chip off the old block. He looks like such a wonderful man – your dad xxxxxxxx
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He really was Jules. He never met a stranger because how can you walk by his smile without smiling back. I miss him so and will miss our special days on the dirt roads…more than I can say.
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I have been thinking of you a lot (a fat lot of good that does!) but hopefully you are feeling the vibes from me. I lost my dad when I was 19 and he was my hero xxx
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I’ve been thinking of you too and wishing I could just get on a plane and come see you. I would have been devastated to lose him at such an age…when you need them most. I’m so sorry you did. xoxo
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Beautifully said , and the most wonderful photo. Huge hugs. xoxo
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Thank you Jules. Yes, it’s one of our favorite photos of him. xo
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I’m sorry that I’ve been gone a while, SB – but wanted to offer condolences. It sounds like you are dealing with it as best possible. If your dad was anything like you, I can only imagine the type of person he was.
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You have been gone…and you have been missed…and I thank you for kind words NB. I am, actually, a lot like him. The best of me truthfully, so thank you for that. He never met a stranger and I like to think I have a bit of that in me too. I hope your life isn’t just busy, but fun too. And thawing out. xo
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He never met a stranger… that is such a lovely thought. It fits you perfectly, SB.
Life has been busy, not always fun, but the fun parts keep me afloat. Hopefully I’m back around for a bit.
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That’s good to hear, I’m looking forward to hanging out while you’re here. I know you have thousands of adoring fans, and they’ll all feel the same, so when you need a break, just look around…I’ll be the one in the corner with a glass of something in my hand and a ready joke on my lips. 🙂
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I’ll have a glass too – cheers, SB.
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