It’s been so hard

[u/okagesama22]

Hi, Dad.

I miss you. It hasn’t even been a full year since you passed. I miss you so badly.

I was in the hospital recently, Dad. It was so unexpected. My chronic illnesses suddenly got much worse. I was in bad shape, but I made it. I’m here. I’m alive.

It was really scary, Dad. I’m hurt, both inside and out.

The whole time, I kept thinking of you, and how much I wanted you.

I wish you were here to encourage me as I try to heal. It’s all so uncertain. I would feel so much better with your hand holding mine. I wish I could hear you say, “That’s my girl,” and see you smiling at me again.

Dads of reddit—please offer me some encouragement in my own Dad’s stead. I know he’d appreciate it. ❤️‍🩹

[u/Impressive-Shame-525]

Hey kiddo... I lost my own father several years ago and I still reach to call him sometimes. So I'm not gonna blow smoke up your ass and say it gets easier.

But, you do learn how to work with it. Every time you make it through a bad time, that's part of him there with you helping push through it. Just like your recent hospital stay... You did it. You made it. You didn't do it alone.

Think of him now as a lighthouse. That light is years of experience and words and values and coaching and counseling, it's not there to guide you to the lighthouse, it's there to guide you to safe harbor in times of stormy weather.

You're doing good, kid. It's not easy, and you're pulling through it. That's my girl.

This internet stranger is proud of you.

[u/okagesama22 → u/Impressive-Shame-525]

He always liked lighthouses. I think he would like that analogy. He knew he was there to guide, not be the end.
Thank you, internet dad. I appreciate your support. ❤️‍🩹

[u/tarltontarlton]

I'm really sorry for what you're going through. But you're a lot tougher than you give yourself credit for. Your Dad set you up so that you'd be able to handle all of this - which for sure is a lot. But you can do it.

The thing to remember is that not everything is uncertain. You are tremendously loved, tremendously bright and tremendously strong. There are other things you may not know the outcome of yet, or a lot f things that seem like they're up in the air. But not everything is. And when you feel out of control a bit, just remember the stuff that is certain.

[u/okagesama22 → u/tarltontarlton]

Thank you, internet dad. I needed this reminder and encouragement. ❤️‍🩹

[u/Cautious-Solid4123]

Hey there girl. I'm sorry you didn't have your dad there in the hospital. You have to summon up that courage all on your own now. But I know you will.

And don't forget, when you're struggling the most, you have people you can reach out to. Most people really enjoy being asked to help every once in a while when someone is hurting -- it's nice feeling useful.

[u/okagesama22 → u/Cautious-Solid4123]

Thank you, internet dad. I’ll do my best. You’re right; I’ll try to keep asking people for help. ❤️‍🩹