I lost my dad a week ago and to think I'll have to live the rest of my life without him leaves me feeling empty. 

My dad was older than most (55) when I was born and so I always knew he'd pass away when I was relatively young. However the years rolled by and when it actually happened it was the biggest shock in my life. Feels like a light in my soul has been extinguished but I know my dad would be upset if he saw how much I've cried for him. 

I like to think that my dad is watching over and so I'm going to try and be happy as he always wanted me to be. I don't think I'll ever reach that same level of happiness as I was with my dad in my life but there has to be a new normal where we can learn to enjoy our lives again. In the end I'm sure that's what all loving dads will be looking down hoping for. 

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. It sounds as if you're finding a way to manage or at least to avoid complete depression, which is encouraging. I hope you find your "new normal" as quickly as possible and can live in a way that makes you happy. It sounds as if you had a wonderful father

Thank you. He was the best. I'm feeling very grateful that I had him for my 32 years. I'm thankful that i have all the memories of love and support to draw strength from. 

Your father sounds like he was a great man too. Sounds like you had many amazing memories together. I hope you find solace from them and future happiness.

Sounds like you had an amazing dad (as I did). I'm trying convince myself that I will always have a dad. I think I'm now also going to try what you've described - drawing strength from the memories of love and support. I'm not succeeding very well and mostly just feel a giant chasm in my life and in my soul. The gulf between my father and everybody else was and is just enormous. He gave me more than anyone or anything else combined.

All the best!

I'm still struggling a lot too 5 months on after my mum passed away. I appear more ok on the outside and can socialise more again etc. But inside I feel a sense of desolation that hasn't gotten any better, in fact the missing of and yearning for my mum has only increased. I can feel better for a bit with the distraction of being around others but as soon as I'm alone again I feel lost, lonely and like nothing really makes sense or matters that much anymore & I turn to unhealthy habits to try and dull the pain and empty feeling. It literally feels like half my life got ripped away when my mum died. I actually get a physical sensation at times when it really hits me she's gone, like that falling sensation one can get when trying to get to sleep, I think it's just that disorientating, frightening and foundational. 

I am trying to think of it as mentioned above, that I still have a mum & I am starting to be able to draw on the comfort of some memories although it's still difficult to think back on good times without the pain becoming too overwhelming. I try to think of how temporary life is & that helps a bit. I'm focusing on being kind to others so I leavea good legacy myself and learning some new things,  when I can focus. Life feels like I'm just ticking off the days still a lot though.. it's lost its magic and flow it used to have. I can't imagine a time when I won't miss my mum so much and neither would I want to but it's so hard and daunting. Sending love and support to everyone on this thread. 

It's just so cruel. Or seems that way to me. You say that life has "lost its magic." That's exactly the case for me too. Since my father was the magic. It must be very challenging for you indeed to be "without" your mum.

On the other hand, what you say does suggest that some things are perhaps better. For example, you're socialising more. I'm barely socialising at all. I don't want to interact with anybody other than my father. But I don't think my approach is going to make me happy again.

Anyway, I hope things get better for you

I lost my Dad on Monday. People say time is a healer but I don't see the point in anything anymore. My Mum’s health isn't great & the shock of losing Dad hasn't helped her. If I lose mum I will be on my own. 
My Dad was my hero. He was the person I would go to for advice & now he's gone. 
Even though my Dad got his wish & his heart gave up before the cancer got him, it doesn't make it any easier for us. I know he still suffered but he never complained. 
I miss him so much

I lost my Dad on Monday. People say time is a healer but I don't see the point in anything anymore. My Mum’s health isn't great & the shock of losing Dad hasn't helped her. If I lose mum I will be on my own. 
My Dad was my hero. He was the person I would go to for advice & now he's gone. 
Even though my Dad got his wish & his heart gave up before the cancer got him, it doesn't make it any easier for us. I know he still suffered but he never complained. 
I miss him so much

I'm so sorry you lost your precious dad It sounds like he was a wonderful man and father. Its an indescribable pain to lose a parent that is the closest person in the world to you. Wishing some moments of peace for you. 

Thank you, he was the best. My life will never be the same again without him. 
I tell myself the same thing as you, that I'll be gone one day too. That's the only comfort I have right now. 
Take care x

I am so, so sorry to hear this. I can identify with absolutely everything you say. And I'm not going to try to say anything "positive" because at this point I imagine you just feel devastated. I'm in a similar situation to you - my mum's health is poor and she talks about dying and when she's gone I too will be on my own, just as you describe.

I'm sure your dad was utterly amazing and I just wish you could have him back

Thank you, I wish you could have your dad back too. 
Life is very unfair. I know people can't live forever but it doesn't stop me wishing they could. 
Take care of yourself x