Dad died - why aren't I crying?
Dad died - why aren't I crying?
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D-Angle

Original Poster:

4,468 posts

271 months

Thursday 2nd June 2005
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I don't know if it's appropriate to post this, but this is starting to bother me a lot.

I got a call yesterday to tell me that my father had died that morning. It really shook me, and I am very upset, but I haven't yet shed a tear.

My father and I were quite close, so I am devastated he's gone. But so far I have been functioning normally, and haven't cried, or come close to crying. I can't help feeling that I should be.

I don't know if I'm just not the crying kind(haven't done for years anyway), or because it hasn't really sunk in yet - the funeral is in Ireland so I haven't actually seen him. Also it wasn't unexpected(cancer in both lungs - had to make an emergency trip a few months ago just in case).

But I just wondered if this was normal, as surely I should have had some reaction by now? It almost feels disrespectful that it hasn't broken my stride as much as it should. Anyone had anything similar?

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

284 months

Thursday 2nd June 2005
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Sorry to hear that.

Was in the same position several years ago, and felt just like you.

That makes two, if it helps.....

Balmoral Green

42,561 posts

277 months

Thursday 2nd June 2005
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Dont worry about it, give it a day or two.

I was the same when my dad died, I didnt really start blubbing until about a week later.

alexkp

16,484 posts

273 months

Thursday 2nd June 2005
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I experienced this exactly last year when my mother died suddenly and without warning.

Email me if you want a few thoughts and a couple of suggestions that really helped me and my family.

Lois

14,706 posts

281 months

Thursday 2nd June 2005
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It's probably just not really sunk in yet, can take a while especially with someone you are very close to.
Don't worry it's perfectly normal, we all grieve in our own ways, some people never cry, it's just their way of coping.

You will probably find in a few days that it all hits you at once. Happened to me.

wedge girl

4,688 posts

268 months

Thursday 2nd June 2005
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My sincere condolences, I have no idea what it must be like to lose a parent.

French TVR took over 6 months to finally start grieving. The first tears came right out of the blue.

Just accept what is right for you.

justayellowbadge

37,057 posts

271 months

Thursday 2nd June 2005
quotequote all
Firstly, my sympathies.
My mother died while I was at university. I got a phone call in the middle of the night, a cab first thing the next morning, and the job of organizing everything from then on.
I went back after a couple of weeks, and carried on as normal.
3 months later, my father phoned and told me that he'd had to have our 2 cats put down due to illness.
I crashed.
It'll come. Don't force it, don't feel guilty if it doesn't immediately.
Trust your friends. Cut them some slack if they don't know how to talk to you right now.
Appreciate the ones you love just a little more.

Mrs Trackside

9,299 posts

262 months

Thursday 2nd June 2005
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I had a very good friend that died very unexpectedly and suddenly 2 years.

I was completely shocked and devestated by her death, but I didn't cry until her funeral (two weeks after I found out about her death) and then I couldn't stop the floodgates.

My sympathies are with you.



Mrs Fish

30,018 posts

287 months

Thursday 2nd June 2005
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Firstly, sorry to hear of your loss, I can totally empathise, I lost my dad quite unexpectedly at the start of January. Don't feel bad about about how you are feeling. Everyone deals with things like this differently. It may hit you tomorrow, it may take weeks, try not to push it and feel too guilty. I keep thinking that I have gotten over my dads death too quickly but in quite odd moments it will hit me hard.


Take Care.
Lisa.

Wacky Racer

41,278 posts

276 months

Thursday 2nd June 2005
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My dad died after a 12 month battle with prostate cancer, last August, my Mum 12 years ago after a stroke, neither times I outwardly cried, I mean not in the blubbering sense, but I cried inside, although in my Dad's case it was a blessing, a case of "Death where is thy sting"............

One thing it HAS tought me though, is Fk your TVR's. Lotus's, Ferraris etc, even your bank balance, the MOST important thing in life is your health, so make the most of your life while you can, you just don't know how long you've got..

>> Edited by Wacky Racer on Thursday 2nd June 21:44

rude girl

6,937 posts

288 months

Thursday 2nd June 2005
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My dad died 2 years ago this last Monday. Although I did cry (buckets) at the time, it was mostly numb. And I would laugh hysterically at odd things, and just be all over the place. I think I cried at the time because it was displacement activity if the emotions got too real.

Oddly enough, I was at my bloke's house on Monday and we were in the middle of a perfectly innocuous conversation and it hit me. I cried for about an hour - that real out of control thing where your whole body shakes - but this time it was different, I could say what it was that I was feeling that was causing the pain. And the crying actually made me feel better for the first time. And I can think about the same thing that triggered the tears now without breaking down.

I guess it just happens when it happens. Just be kind to yourself.

yertis

19,711 posts

295 months

Thursday 2nd June 2005
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los angeles said:
It will come when you begin to perceive the wisdom he imparted to you has made you better and stronger.


I miss mine more for the wisdom he didn't impart. I still haven't figured out his bloody MultiMeter. I'm thinking of getting a medium to pester him for the relevant info.

ATG

23,702 posts

301 months

Thursday 2nd June 2005
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Very sorry to hear your news. I wouldn't worry about how you are reacting now. We all react differently and there certainly aren't any rules. It can take a while to sink in, you can be numbed by it to start with, whatever ... it really doesn't matter. There are many different aspects to bereavement. In the coming days probably you'll feel your own loss, you'll dredge up and share memories, you'll witness other peoples pain ... sometimes it'll be overwhelming, sometimes it'll be reassuring, other times it'll just plain be what your getting on with. Good luck.

gopher

5,160 posts

288 months

Thursday 2nd June 2005
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Sorry to hear your news, you have my condolences and best wishes to your family.

When we lost our mother to cancer some 5 years ago it was the first time many of us had actually smiled in those 6 months before she went.

When you lose someone, things are not the same; feelings are without explanation or comprehension. You will be full of doubt and uncertainty one moment perhaps, full of joy and hope the next – don’t worry – if it needs to happen let it happen, as others have said it may take some time and may hit unexpectedly or not at all – that does not make you a lesser person. Accept what has happened as best you can – and get on.

When I was young the thought of losing my mother to death was my greatest fear, and I carried it for a long time, now I have lived through my greatest fear, I have nothing more to worry about! (Not true but it puts fear into perspective for me)

Kind Regards and Best Wishes

Paul

bilko2

1,693 posts

261 months

Thursday 2nd June 2005
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Sorry to hear that mate. My father died when i was 9 which i guess was easier for me to adapt to in someways.
I want to offer some help but to don't know how to word it. Realy i just mean to say that some people go onto autopilot for a while.
All the best mate
Ian

DanBoy

4,899 posts

272 months

Thursday 2nd June 2005
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Takes a while to sink in.

Both my grandads died recently. I didn't ever cry, but it wasn't really until after their funerals that I felt any kind of sadness at all.

Dibble

13,276 posts

269 months

Thursday 2nd June 2005
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I'm sorry to hear about your Dad.

The only certainty is that there isn't a "right" way to grieve.

catso

16,401 posts

296 months

Thursday 2nd June 2005
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Sincere Condolences mate, grief affects people differently at different times, it's hard to come to terms with the death of a close relative, my Mum died suddenly when I was 25 and at first it was hard to even believe that it happened, it does get easier to deal with after a while but there is no 'right' or 'wrong' way to grieve, take it at your own pace.

kenny320

1,598 posts

274 months

Thursday 2nd June 2005
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Sorry to hear about your loss mate.

When my mother died I was pretty numb for a few days. I didn't know what to feel. She'd been so ill for 6 months so it was a relief in a way. It took several days for the everything to hit me. Fortunately my friends knew the score and they were there when I needed them. Just take some time to let it sink in and let your friends know what's happening. It'll just take time.

Kenny320

>> Edited by kenny320 on Thursday 2nd June 22:34

Podie

46,649 posts

304 months

Thursday 2nd June 2005
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Grief is a strange emotion - it affects different people in different ways. Not only that, the way you react to different people dying varies.

I wouldn't worry about it mate, the tears will come when the time is right.



I'd just echo the sentiments here; sorry to hear about your father.