Today marks 5 years since my dad passed away. It's a sad day, but I know to make each day better than the last. I know to stop fretting about little things and enjoy life. I know to stop focusing on money (still working on this) and work on improving life instead. Most of you know that to this day I still have a hard time dealing with the fact that my dad passed away, so I want to keep this post short before it turns into something depressing.
The picture above is of my dad from a long time ago. Probably in the 80's but I'm not sure. It's one of my favorite photos of him. My dad was obsessed with traveling and photography and I have over 100 photo albums from him that are jam packed full of pictures. My love for travel definitely came from him (so did my love for DisneyWorld!).
What are you doing to make your day more awesome than the last?
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My mom passed away almost a year ago. I understand the hurt and pain that comes with losing a parent. Her death was an inspiration for my year off. It made me realize this world is temporary and we should fulfill our dreams, spend time with our families and enjoy our lives NOW, not just when we retire.
I'm sorry about your mom. And yes, we should fulfill our dreams! You never know what's going to happen in the future.
Michelle I wish I could give you the biggest hug and listen to you talk about your dad. You are so young but so strong. I am sure he would tell you very at how proud of you he is. He was awesome and so are you
I am so sorry about your loss, but I can completely understand how and what your feeling. Ironically enough, today’s day marks the anniversary of my father’s passing as well. It has been 7 years for us. Time flies, and its hard to believe its that long ago.
What an amazing tribute to your Dad. Today marks for me my Moms Birthday and 4 years since her death. She was my best friend and we did everything together. I miss her every minute but much like you, know she wants me to have a happy life and make the most of every day. I recently accomplished something she wanted for me, I moved to a new state and started a happy new life in a great house near friends. I make each day special and amazing as she had wished for me . Thanks for a great reminder of what we must do as children of parents that inspired us, to go on and live a full life.
Thank you. And I'm sorry about your mom. My dad and I did everything together also.
Awesome pic, Michelle! I'm sorry to hear about your dad =(
Thanks Holly
That's awesome that you have so many pictures 🙂 I'm sure there are lots of great ones in there.
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Thanks Lance!
Glad you have all of those photos to look back on and remember! I’m sure that’s where your interest in traveling came from.
I loooooooove all of the photos 🙂
That's a great picture Michelle and so glad that you have so many of them as well as memories to remember him by.
Thanks John
Wonderful picture, Michelle, and that's great that you have so many pictures. What am I doing to make today better than the last? Well, having a plumber come out to give us an estimate on our sewer fix so that we can actually use plumbing in our house without it backing up.
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Hahaha you just made my day!
These types of anniversaries are the worst. Try and do something really great today that you and your dad would have done together, start a new tradition so you can look forward to the day instead of dreading it. Maybe start a tradition of getting a picture done in the same spot as one of his pictures? I know flying to Egypt today is likely out of the question but you get my point. Hope you're day isn't too dark 😉
I would love to fly to Egypt and recreate this picture! 🙂
That is a very cool picture. Sorry for your loss.
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Thanks Alan
I know days like this must be hard. My wife's father passed away 10 years ago and it is still hard for her on the day. Days like this needs to give us a reminder that we need to enjoy each and every day and stop worrying so much about things that might be beyond our control. We also need to take control of the things that we can control and turn our lives around. Enjoy life!
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Yes it is still very hard. I don't know how some people manage 🙁
Great picture Michelle. Hold on to those awesome memories! Chin up 🙂
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Thanks Jacob
I'm sorry Michelle. Sounds like it's still very hard for you. I still have both my parents, and that's why I want to spend more time with them in June when I visit Detroit. They are both much older and being so far away, I never know how much time I have left with them,especially my mom who always seems to be sick with something. And for me, I'm moving away from doing some of the work I don't want to be doing…I know that i don't want to waste more time being unhappy with certain things about my job.
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That's good that you are moving away from crappy work. I need to do that.
This is just awesome! Your dad was awesome. I really like the raw emotion in your post. Enjoy everyday and every memory. Cheers
So sorry for your loss. I know that losing parents is inevitable and no matter what age, it must hurt greatly. That's a great picture and I'm sure you have lots of great memories of him. Enjoy your happy memories of him today.
Thank you
I´m incredibly sorry for your loss! I can`t even imagine the loss of a parent, but I`m so happy for you that you have all these wonderful pictures to reminisce about your dad:-) It must be nice to have something to look back on, and seeing how your dad embraced life by travelling:-)
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My thoughts are with you, Michelle – my dad passed when I was 18 and it's challenging to lose a parent at an early age. That is a wonderful picture of him, and undoubtedly you have his ambition and zest for life. Take care.
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I was 18 as well when it happened. still makes me sad!
I your attitude Michelle. I am sure your dad is watching down on you extremely proud! We do need to make each day better than the last, so that is what I am going to do today! No complaining about anything just enjoying the day and the people around me!
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Thanks Alexa
What a wonderful picture Michelle! I am sorry for you loss! I am sure that he would be incredibly proud of how you have grown and developed both personally and professionally over the last five years!
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Sorry for your loss Michelle. Hang in there today!!! *hugs*
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Thanks girl
Thinking of you today, Michelle! I love seeing the pics you post of your dad.
Thanks Ashlee!
I think honoring your dad by focusing on enjoying life is a pretty spectacular way to do it.
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Losing a loved one is a scar that is hard to remove from our lives and the healing may go on forever. I know I feel it. I try to just remember that what happened in the past, the memories will always live on. The post I wrote last week about how we can't skype heaven is a great reminder how we should embrace the present and take the time to be with the one's we love. Focusing so much on one thing is never a good thing when we let our lives flash before our eyes. Cheers and keep smilin.. I'm sure he's watching over you!
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I wish we could skype heaven 🙂
Sorry about your dad Michelle. Its great that you have such wonderful pictures to remember him with. The one you posted is fantastic.
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Thanks!
Very sorry for your loss. My Dad died 3.5 years ago and I miss him a lot too. He had a great sense of humour and would always try to make everyone smile.
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I'm sorry 🙁
I'm so sorry about your dad, but I'm so glad that you have great memories of him – and what an awesome photo of him! Sending lots of hugs your way!! xoxo
I LOVE this photo 🙂
Sorry to hear about your dad, it's amazing that your dad was by the pyramids on horseback!
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🙂
This was a nice tribute to you dad. Have you thought of doing a "memorial trip" out somewhere that he wanted to travel to, or you both wanted to visit? An adventure like that could be another great way to remember him in a positive light, though it seems like you're already doing pretty well on that front. 🙂
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Great idea!
<3
What a great photo. I'm sure this is a day of mixed feelings for you – take care of yourself.
Thanks
That is an awesome photo. From what you say about him, your father really knew how to enjoy life.
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Thanks justin
My condolences. He certainly seems like an amazing character. Glad to hear about a continued love of travel.
My thoughts are with you today…I can really understand how you are feeling. There isn't a day that doesn't go by that I don't miss my own stepdad. I am certain your dad would be so proud of you as a person and all that you are accomplishing!
Thanks 🙂
What a brilliant photo. A vivid reminder to live life to the fullest, travel and do things to make life exciting and fun (he sure looks like he was having fun). Big hugs 🙂
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I definitely need to work on living life to the fullest 🙂
Sending you a huge hug!
Thanks Michelle!
My sympathy on the loss of your dad. Even though it's been 5 years, the pain never totally goes away. I understand, because I lost my own dad suddenly & unexpectedly when I was 15 and he was only 37…
I learned then to NEVER take anyone you love for granted, ever. Appreciate every moment and every day you have together!
And take opportunities to spend time with family and friends whenever you can. Right now my boyfriend & I are at the beach for a long weekend, sharing a condo with my best friend & her husband. I am so thrilled to have this chance to spend time enjoying each other in a fantastic place!
I agree Diane! The pain NEVER goes away.
Thanks for posting this, and I'm sorry about the loss of your Dad and the natural sadness about it.
Short post, but thought-provoking especially with your question. To answer it, I'm spending time with family later today and tomorrow, planning on simply focusing on the moment and treasuring my time with them. It's the most important people that make life awesome.
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Thank you for sharing Michelle. I love that you have all of those albums of memories, that's beautiful. Sending you a hug and going to make the rest of today awesome in honor of your dad.