Too late
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andymadmak

Original Poster:

15,541 posts

298 months

Friday 21st February 2003
quotequote all
Sorry for the maudlin nature of this post, but I wanted to say this to every one cos I think it's really really important:
If you have family issues, if you are angry with a parent or child or other relative or friend and you feel too proud or bitter to make the first move towards reconcilliation, please please take my advice: BE BIG and pick up the phone TODAY. Make the call, and make the effort to resolve your differences.

My father left when I was 4 years old, (I'm 41 now) and I've never seen him since the day he left.
At Christmas I thought about making contact but didn't bother. I thought I had time.
Yesterday I got a call to say he was going into a Hospice. Again, I thought I had time. I could have gone to see him last night, but I didn't. I thought I'd go today. He died at 8am this morning.
I never got the chance to say what needed to be said.

Don't make my mistake

Andy 400se

PetrolTed

34,468 posts

331 months

Friday 21st February 2003
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Ouch. Sorry to hear that.

Superflid

2,254 posts

293 months

Friday 21st February 2003
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Bad news Andy, but good advice.

apache

39,731 posts

312 months

Friday 21st February 2003
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my condolences Andy, I can whole heartily endorse what you said, I was lucky and made my peace with my father just in time

MikeyT

18,235 posts

299 months

Friday 21st February 2003
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I too had a bit of an argument with my dear old dad on the phone about not very much - got this resolved the following week when I saw him - two days later he was taken ill and died within the hour without me seeing him. Two years ago this April 27.

Still think of him all the time - and if I have a problem I think what would he have done in the same situation?

He *was* Mr Common Sense!

andymadmak

Original Poster:

15,541 posts

298 months

Friday 21st February 2003
quotequote all
Thanks for the kind thoughts.
I appreciate the support.

Andy

Tony Hall

23,139 posts

310 months

Friday 21st February 2003
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Afte a lot of serious hassle from Mother for about 5 years, I left home in 1978. Won't go into the problems except possibly couldn't acept I was growing up. (Sister still at home now at age of 45)
Haven't seen them again since, except at a funeral in 1983 ish. Christmas Cards & Birthday cards only. Until Jan this year when I forgot Dads card. Never had a prob with him except that he didn't realise the probs my mother was causing. Anyway took card to drop in door and didn't he go and answer the door. Took off with him following. Agreed to go in for his sake(not hers) Had a chat, Mam comes out with, why don't you come back more often, no repercusions or arguements, Like I caused them in the first place...
Not been back since, can't see any point..

elanturbo

565 posts

290 months

Friday 21st February 2003
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Good advice Andy,... my condolences.

zebedee

4,595 posts

306 months

Friday 21st February 2003
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Condolencies Andy, try not to beat yourself up about it, it must be hard enough as it is.