2 Prisoner of War buddies reunite

My condolences on the loss of your father. Your comments about him remind me of my own father who is 90 years old. This photo is a beautiful tribute.

Regards~~~~~~~~~L

Jim.....In your position, I'm sure you must have seen your share of death.  I'm sure you're right.....we can grow to accept it, but it's never easy to witness.  I think the war had a profound effect on my dad, as I'm sure it does to most military personnel, whether they were on the front lines or not.

Marjolein.....my father 'learned' to cry as he got older.   His generation would not show emotion, but he eventually got to the point where he was not embarrassed to cry.  That showed growth as a human being, I think.  He always loved this photo because it brought back such wonderful memories for him.  This was a surprise party we gave for him, and we brought his war buddy in to further surprise him.   He was so overwhelmed, as I think the image conveys, and I think it may have been one of the happiest days of his life.  I think it was the only surprise party anyone ever gave for him.  Thanks for your very kind words!

Linda.....I wish you well in dealing with your own father.   We only have 1 remaining parent.....my husbands' mom.  She is 82 and in quite good shape.  But my dad suffered from dementia and things have been difficult this past year.  It's so sad when that happens, as it would be so much better if we could remember only good times.  But that's life, and sometimes it goes that way.  I hope your situation is a smooth one!  :-)  Thanks so much for your words of consolation.

Dear Christal....My condolences on the loss of your father but his memory will live with you forever....

Thank you, Keith.  How nice of you to write.  I've missed your presence on PN in recent months.  :-)

My sincere and heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

I think this is a wonderful warm and fitting tribute to your father. It shows great joy and emotion, a celebration of his life, so important to remember in those lonely times, when all you feel is loss. He must have been very proud to have such a thoughful daughter..

Alf

Alf, so nice to hear from you as well!  Sorry that I've been a little out of touch lately......this happened and a bunch of other stuff too.  I'll have to tell you about my encounter with a tiger.  At any rate, I appreciate your very kind words.  I feel that the friends I've met here on PN are just as important to me as my friends who are more tangible.  It's a great community here, and I really appreciate the support!

I have not been on PN for quite sometime, I am so sorry to hear about your father.

This is an image to treasure always. A very touching scene.

Thanks for your kind words, Debbie.  I haven't been on PN regularly for a long time either.  I broke my back, and a bunch of other awful stuff has been happening......kind of a rough period for us.  Things have to look up from this point forward!  :-)  It's good to hear from you.

Sorry for your loss Cristal, this is a beautiful and emotional image to keep his memory!

Dearest Cristal,

It had occurred to me yesterday that I had not spoken to you (re photos) for some time. Of course my Mom had been ill. Perhaps there was a reason for this 'thinking of you'.  We nursed my Mom at home till she passed at 12:35 Good Friday morning. It was horrible to see...but she needed our care and I'd have it no  other way.  But no matter how you loose a parent (first for me) it is not anything anyone can prepare you for. You tell such a good story of your father, and it seems you loved him very much.

Now, we both speak in the language of tears, and go about the daily ritual of 'remembering'. Sometimes I do not know how I will walk in a world that does not bear my Mother's footsteps. So many things come to my mind, or I'll see or read something and think ' Oh,  I must call tell Mom about that'. I don't know when our Peace will come or how. I know she is out of her pain, but the feel of her hand in mine never goes away. I've read Peace may come in the feel of the early morning breezes, or Peace may come in the Song of a Bird....or Peace may come through the LOVE of those who care about us, and keep in touch or live close to us.  Our limited understanding will not give us the answers we seek, but I do hope that some day soon we will both find Peace, and I am sure it will come in the form of LOVE.........and it will be a LOVE that stays with us FOREVER.

If you ever want to talk, you know where I am. I cannot express enough how I feel for you....but I walk upon the waters of SORROW ....WITH YOU, and our JOURNEYS will be very similar no doubt.  My prayers and thoughts will be with you everyday. I am sure you have found a place in your heart where the Memories of your Father are tucked away in 'Safe Harbor'.  My sincere sympathies dear Cristal

Antoni.....thank you.....you're very kind.  I just visited your portfolio and left a remark on one of your images.

Gail....words escape me to thank you for your kindness and compassion.  I cried when I read your comment......it touched me deeply. Those of us who have lost our parents kind of belong to a special club in that I don't think others can really comprehend what it's like to lose a parent.  Not to be a downer here......but I must tell you that it was many months before I got over my mom's death (mom's are special), and even though she died in 1992, to this day I'll still tear up at most unexpected times when I think how much mom would have loved this or that.......usually relating to the grandchildren, whom she loved so much.  The last year was extremely difficult with my dad, so although I miss the idea of my dad no longer being on this earth, I don't miss the unpleasantness that we've endured.  I'm so sorry that it ended up that way, but I keep reminding myself that he couldn't help it, and I tried not to take it personally.  No matter the circumstances though, it's still difficult.  I was proud of my father in many ways, and I felt that this picture was the best way to show that.  Thanks, and continued healing for you as well, my friend.