Hi Miss Holtby,

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. Its bad to lose a parent ay any age but at your age it's even worse. I lost my father who lived in Canada about this time last year while I live in the south of England. I am 73 years old and miss talking to him in the phone so much.

I am going to say something now which I hope will help you. I only met my father for four weeks after my wife pushed me into finding him 25 years or so ago, so we have had no real contact. But I have inherited a lot of his traits, bad writing ect. I have the same sense of humour and am a very practical person just like he was.

So allthough you father is no longer with you, a part of him lives on inside of you for he has helped shape the sort of kind caring person you are. He has passed things on to you through his genes and in time you will realize this better, just like I have for I also lost my mother about ten years ago and I also take after her in many respects and it does help me to realize this.

When I am feeling down, one thing that helps me is to remember the good times and the laughs we shared and there were plenty of them.

Itis difficult coping with the loss of a loved one  (I have lost ten relatives to cancer of the past few years) but it does help to talk so you have done the right thing by posting on here. I hope others will respond to you soon. sending best wishes and kind thoughts your way, Brian.