How do I cope with this Father's Day?

Question

I recently lost my dad whom I was very close to! It's been very hard for my mom, brother and I. Mama and brother are coming to Louisiana to visit this weekend so that we can be together on Father's Day since it will be difficult for us. We believe in God and that's the only way we've survived this. Therefore; I thought it would be good to just celebrate daddy and our Father in Heaven. For those of you who may have lost your dad, how do you handle Father's Day? Thanks for your advice.

Answer 1

The first year after you lose a parent is the hardest ~ the first birthdays, holidays, and other special times you have as a family without them there to share it with you. We still have our dad, but our mom passed away about 10 years ago. One of the things we do as a family on Mother's Day to remember our mom is have breakfast together. We make Mom's favorite breakfast (blueberry coffee cake and hot tea) and talk about our special memories of her. We look at pictures and laugh and cry ~ it's actually a really great time! I love your idea of celebrating your father and our Father in Heaven together. It's a very appropriate way to remember that both of them are watching over you. Best wishes to you and your family.

Answer 2

I lost my father 7 years ago, and I still have problems sometimes, actually this is the first year I haven't freaked out right before Fathers' Day. My father passed away 3 days before Fathers' Day. So it had been difficult. This year I decided to do something for all the father's in my family, and I think it must have helped. I'm having a cookout at my house for them. The women in my family are going to take care of the men that day. And I think seeing the children play will help. Also try sitting around with your family and talking about the things that make you laugh about your dad, such as if he had a crazy dance step you all can join in and do the dance, or sing the songs. You may start crying but that's o.k. too. If you truly believe in God, remember that he never gives us more than we can handle, as a praying family you guys will be able to get through this. And learn to talk to your dad as if he were right there, sometimes that will help a lot. Take care of your Mom, she needs the support as much as the two of you. My brother had to help a lot, and did. Family means a lot, never, never take each other for granted.

Answer 3

Use the day to celebrate his life, don't dwell on his passing. Focus on the things that made him such a wonderful father and know that he is there with you always. I know that this could be a difficult time but you will get through, as well as your mother and brother. I have not lost my father but i have lost my grandfather and on father's day i write him a letter about all the times when i was younger that i remember him being there and influencing my life, I then get a helium balloon and tie that message to the string, as well as my other siblings and cousins, etc. We all get together and release these messages to our loved ones that we've lost. it has really brought us together as a family, and its fun to get together and share stories of the past. Sorry for your loss, I wish you great strength in this time of need.

Answer 4

I think that you are on the right track. Celebrate! If you believe in God then you know that your dad is with him now, and that he is at peace. You most certainly will miss him on this day that we set aside to celebrate our dads. But take that sadness and put the energy into something else. Find a good cause that you can join in on - maybe a fathers day breakfast that you can help cook or something that you know that your father would have enjoyed. Put your love out into the world and watch it grow and come back to you.

Answer 5

the first father's day is never easy...i lost my dad 13 years ago...i think God is the definate way to go...have faith and that will carry you through anything...we sometimes celebrate my dad in different ways...he used to like butterscotch krimpets made by tastycake so sometimes mom and my sisters get together like on his birthday or fathers day and we will have some and reminisce...this year on his birthday i forgot all about it and i ran out of my office to go to the drugstore and lo and behold what was sitting outside the drugstore but a huge truck with tastycake written on the side and a huge picture of some krimpets! i felt like my dad was sending me a little sign and i laughed and called my mom...i FIRMLY believe that there is a power greater than me in this universe and i choose to call it God and i know my dad is OK and that we are too... i know my dad would not want to see me depressed and remembering the good times is a good way to get though bad feelings and talk to God ...He certaily is there to listen to you in the good and bad times....i send my love to you because i can certainly feel for you...but keep on truckin' cause feelings are just that ...feelings and you will make it through those feelings...all the best to you and your family

Answer 6

I least for a while you knew your dad. Still, I suggest you make this Father's day extra special and remember the good things about your father and the good times with your father. In other words, make it in form of a memoriam and a tribute to your father. May god be with you. I'm really am sorry about your lose. Now, if you don't mind. I'm about to cry now. Bye!

Answer 7

Cook his favorite dish or dessert--not a whole meal, just a dish. Do something that he loved to do. Remember his corniest joke. Enjoy the time you have with your mother and your brother. Your father is lucky to be so lovingly remembered; you are all lucky to have the love and support of one another as you work through your grief. In saying these things I do not mean to minimize your pain, but to remind you of the continuity of family, even in death. By sharing Father's Day and other holidays with those who also loved your father, you are giving him the highest honor we can pay to the dead. I wish you and your family a day of quiet celebration, reminiscence, and anticipation of future joy.

Answer 8

well your i was once where you are now i lost my father 10 years ago and my mom and brother thought we couldnt go on....its hard i still get very emotional but i spend the day remembering his laugh his smile and all the fun times we had together. he would want you to be happy his spirit is all around you he will enjoy hearing you guys celebrate the lie he had.... my heart is with your family.

Answer 9

Continue celebrating Father's Day in his honor. Instead of the day being sad, make it a wonderful day of remembering how God has blessed your family to have him for a moment. No need to be sad, but strive to be the best person you can be, and every accomplishment that your reach, think of how he would be proud of you.

Answer 10

Talk about your loss and feelings with your family. Remember the best times with your dad and the lessons you learned from him. Celebrating your dad is a great idea. Good luck.