I can't believe its been that long, Rob. I remember his passing.

 

My natural mother died at age 29. My adoptive mother - a great lady - died almost 12 years ago. My adoptive father is going on 84 and is in feisty great shape and healthy. He and I had a troubled relationship for well over 30 years. When I retired almost 11 years ago, I came back close to home, and he was not particularly happy about. I did not crowd him, but I made many timely approaches and added a lot of zest to his established, boring routine. He can be pretty stubborn and selfish at times; however, we've become drinking, boating and fishing buddies. Both of us value our time together; he has taken an interest in his grandchildren; He really likes and respects my +1; and I make an effort not to overdue a good thing. I'm glad I went the extra mile.

 

This is a great post.....glad that things have worked out for you.

There are lots of instances when a cool or even cold relationship carries right to the time of death....never any reconciliation. I had an aunt (blood uncle killed in a hunting accident at age 21...in the 1930's) who was the last of that generation and died in the late 90's. She had not seen her only child from this marriage in over....maybe 50 years I exchange holiday cards with Johnny, the son described above....but he still does not want to have much to do with the other 1st cousins. There's a long story there....and I only know a small part of it

 

[QUOTE=valentine,Sep 14 2006, 01:06 PM] I can't believe its been that long, Rob.

 

Hang in Rob, you have so many good memories and can make new ones being dad to your kids.
My thoughts are w/ you today.

 

It's a sad time for you today, Rob.....and for me as well re: #100 coming up!

My father was proud of me (not yet a fully developed _SA in 1986 when he passed), and I'm sure that yours was also proud of his car-crazy son

 

Well, the last minutes of my Dad's real 100th birthday are ticking away! I don't even know his exact birth time...

Kathy and I went out to a favorite Chinese Fusion restaurant to celebrate. I also gave my 2 kids a free pass to take a best friend out to dinner to celebrate Grandpa's #100.....extending the celebration to Beantown and Dresden, Germany

It's been a great remembrance.....thanks for everything, Dad

 

Jerry, the one thing that gives me a lot of comfort is that as long as the memory lives, the person lives. My grandfather died over 30 years ago and as long as I remember what he looked like and his laugh sounded like, he's still alive to me. My grandmother died nearly 4 years ago (at 103) and she's still alive as far as my memory goes. True, I'll never hear either voice again (except as a memory) but as long as I have that memory, I have them. Physically, people die but as long as they live in your memory, they're alive. That's the way I remember my parents and my grandparents and they live on. Fortunately, my children knew their grandmother and grandfather and great-grandmother so they'll exist for a while longer. I'll always regret the times I was too busy to do things with my father, but the things we did do together will remain as precious memories.