I remembered
Today I was reminded about something very close to me. My dad, who died almost 9 years ago. I have already written this once, but my computer decided to delete it, so sorry if it seems disjointed, I am somewhat emotional right now.

I saw a lady today, who told me she lost her husband a year ago today, and was having a tough time, not helped by her friend who said she should move on as it has been a year. (Good friend??????)
I shared with her my perspective on close people that have passed away, and I shall share it again.
I believe that you love a person with your heart, body and mind. When that person has died, it is impossible to love the body, as it is gone, only the memory of that body remains, but the heart and mind are things that have shaped us all the time we knew them, there love, there words, these are things that change people at the very core of who we are. If a person has died, it is only there body that has gone, the love and the mind is carried on through the people they touched throughout their lives. Therefore by continuing to be yourself, these people live through us. By speaking and laughing, sharing memories on those people they continue to live in our hearts. When you stop remembering, and speaking about them, then they are gone, they have truly died.
I take so much comfort that in me is my dad, and if anyone tells me to stop speaking about him, and it’s time to move on, they can shove it up their arses. Sure I remember many things about my dad, good and bad, but I focus on the good, as these are the best bits, the parts I like to have as part of me. I am proud that my dad lives in me, and that he still influences they way I am. I could not tell you the day or month he died, these are not important, why would I want to remember how I felt like my life was being ripped apart? It is all a blur, but I do still go out on his Birthday with my wife, and have a drink, and toast him, I still celebrate his birthday, because birthdays are a celebration of life, and my dad deserves a good celebration.
The lady thanked me for a new perspective on life and death, and vowed to speak about her husband as she always had, with love and honour, how it should be, and to hell with her friend, she will respect her, but she must also be respected.

Dad I miss you so much, I miss that you never knew your daughter in law, my wife, I am gutted you did not share my wedding day with me, that you missed my birthday, and that of all our family, I miss that your no longer downstairs for me, that I cant call you to share thoughts about the day, I am devastated that you never knew my wife and her family, which are now our family. I miss you so much, and I hope you are still as proud of me, as I am to be your son, I love the fact that you live on through me, and several of the things that made you who you are make me who I am, because of you I am me, your life influenced me, as I will influence others, and they to will pass on the good that you did, with out knowing, but dad your actions touched the world, they may not know or care, but I do know, and do care. I see everything you gave me, and more.
I love you, and miss you, and hurt that I will never feel your touch, or hear your words.
But I swear you will never be forgotten.

Remember tell the people you love that you love them, because sad and cruel as it may be, you may never get another chance.