Comments on: The Day Elvis Died

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 12:48:12 +0000

I think that when we lose a parent at any age we question if we would be the same person without the loss. I can’t imagine losing a parent so young. To not have those memories, to be without, to live in an imaginative state about what your father was like. I was 20 when I lost my own father. Suddenly. On Father’s Day. And I sit here, 31 and 3 kids later, missing him terribly. Wondering if I would have the life I have now if he were still here. Knowing that my mother’s life would be completely different. And knowing, most of all, that my children will never have a grandfather, that they will never feel the presence of that man, my father. That they will never hear his jokes, nor his laughter, nor his terrible singing voice. I only hope that they inherit some of his wit and wisdom, just through the DNA.

Loss hurts. There are really no words. Though we try and try to define it, to encompass it somehow.

By: Stimey

Stimey — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:28:40 +0000

This is a really touching post. My father died when I was seven. It was also sudden. I also didn’t really know him. I don’t know that I have any actual memories of him. It’s hard, huh? I like what you say about “knowing” him though. That’s really nice.

By: Al_Pal

Al_Pal — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:53:14 +0000

Big *HUGS*. Very touching entry. Great photo of the kids.

By: avasmommy

avasmommy — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:14:18 +0000

Oh Ben,

I’m sorry. I understand the what ifs. Like you, I know how one day, the loss of one person shapes the rest of your life.

I mourn for you too, my friend. Big hugs.

By: Maura

Maura — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:42:47 +0000

I needed a couple days in between reading the two posts. Because I’m so incredibly happy to have both you and Matt in my life and I regret so much that you didn’t get the time with your dad that I had with mine. Even the less-good parts.

But I also know that you are who you are, in part, because of what happened in your childhood. And I can’t be sorry that the person you became is who you are, because he’s my friend. :-)

By: Dawn

Dawn — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:43:54 +0000

8/16/46 My dad’s birthday. I spent what would have been his 63rd birthday going through the mountain of his remaining things in my garage. xo

By: PJ Mullen

PJ Mullen — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:51:08 +0000

What a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing. It is great how your family kept his memory alive in and through you and your brother.

By: Elisa

Elisa — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:03:04 +0000

This is such a touching post. I cannot imagine what it must feel like to have no memory of your dad. I’m visiting, following a link from Matthew’s blog, and I’m glad I did. You guys would both have made your father proud!

By: Whit

Whit — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:31:03 +0000

Thank you for sharing this story. Very touching.

By: sam {temptingmama}

sam {temptingmama} — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:42:52 +0000

Beautiful post. Just beautiful.