Thank you all.

[Peter]

To all those grapes who expressed sympathy to me on hearing of my mothers death, thank you, it is deeply appreciated.

My mother and I were not very close and she had been very ill for some time, so I was both prepared for her going and less affected than might "normally" be the case.

[Alice]

Hello Peter, I did not see your original post re the loss of your Mother. Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. I note you say you were not particularly close to your Mother, so maybe the loss is not so great. Maybe I'm all wrong here, but from personal experience , maybe the loss is greater as you have to grieve , not just for the person gone, but also for all that might have been but can never now be. It doesn't matter how prepared you think you are, it's the same shock at the final moment.
Time heals, Peter. Small comfort now, but for the moment I hope it helps to know that others do understand and care.
Best wishes and deepest sympathy.

[Alison]

I think most of us have lost somebody important at some time so know how you feel. It'll be 12 years since my dad died this summer and we all still miss him, but like you, felt a great sense of relief when he actually died as he had suffered for over 2 years with progressive cancer. Anyway, thinking of you at this time.

[lyndap]

Sorry to hear of your loss Peter.Like Alison, lost my dad to cancer 12 years ago.Part of you relieved that they are no longer suffering,but the other part of you greive their loss terribly,and no matter what anyone says you have to grieve in your own time and in your own way.Thoughts are with you and yours.

[pigletwillie]

I dont feel that time does make it easier, not for me anyway. What times does do is allow for perspective to be put into place and its that perspective that eases my hurt.

[sewer rat]

Peter
I haven't been on much recently so may I take the opportunity to add my sympathies to those of the other grapes. Whilst I haven't had to go through this type of experience personally yet, my wife has lost her mother, oldest brother and oldest sister so I can appreciate what is involved.

[vicki lorraine]

Peter my sympathies are with you too.
I lost my dad 9 years ago and i still grieve for him. Some days im sad, some days im angry and feel cheated that he never saw my daughter born. I have taken on my plot in his memory and i intend to give it my best shot because he would have been my guide and growing guru.
Your feelings are your own and they will change constantly.
Embrace all of your feelings and know that they are yours and yours alone.

[Bex]

My sympathy Peter, I too know how much losing someone hurts as I lost my partner 4 years ago when our son was just 3 years old. Allow yourself the time to grieve.

Best wishes

[Digger-07]

My dad was a great GYOer, I still find myself wondering , at least once a week - how would he have done that? He died 21 years ago and I still miss him.

[dexterdoglancashire]

My thoughts are with you at this very sad time Peter. DDL

[rustylady]

You never do forget, but hopefully time may make the memories more comforting than sad. When my mum and dad died (within a year of each other, mum going first and dad shortly after) their house had to be handed back to the council. However, I managed to take some cuttings from the garden and have looked after them ever since. This year, for the first time, "Dad's Daphne" has a flower bud. Maybe I'm daft, but it's this sort of thing that brings them back. I also still have pinks propogated from Mum's plants.

[nick the grief]

Sh*t, missed that one Peter - I've not been on so much recently. Can I add my sympathies to the rest of the guys. I know what it's like.

Nick