[Elspode]

Well, here I am, massively late to an important thread as usual.

The loss of a parent is probably one of the most significant events in a person's life. At least, it was for me. It doesn't matter how old you ever get, you are always the child of your parents. You will always be the product of their wisdom and their ignorance, their joys and their pains.

I was incredibly fortunate to have had an absolutely wonderful mother. My dad...eh, not so much, but at least he was absent and dismissive instead of present and abusive. So I got lucky even there.

I wasn't able to be at my mother's side when she passed, and for that I will always be sad. I take comfort in the fact that our last hours together were familial and enjoyable as we celebrated her birthday before she left for her lake house, where she passed at the age of 56. I'll always miss her.

Dana, my deepest condolences on the loss of your father. It sounds like you're doing very well in the face of one of life's greatest adversities.