im not teh lutheran. my dad's 3rd wife was one and he got dragged along. id say he was agnostic at best (worst?) but i did go to many a lutheran service

Very true. You're so lucky in a lot of ways, Cotton. I suspect you know it, but it bears saying aloud.

What's weird is my situation is similar to Cotton's in that my dad was in grave health for decades. He was literally issued last rites at one point like in 1979-80 or thereabouts, yet managed to live until 2001. So, both me and Cotton got many extra years out of our dads we probably never should have gotten.

Of course, Cotton's dad sounds pretty awesome and definitely deserving of his extended life, whereas my dad...maybe not quite so much.

Cotton, very sorry to hear about your father.

Yeah, that post made me cry at work. It doesn't get better, but you get used to it (ten years and counting, here). And you were able to have and be able to appreciate that relationship, which is a lot.

I think many of us would like to have our dads back.

Yeah.

My paper does not charge for obituaries, which is the right thing to do.

My sympathies, Cotton. Hang in there.

So sorry.

Nine years ago last month for me. My dad died unexpectedly at age 57. It sounds like you and your dad had a great relationship that you can always call on.

It truly does get better with time.

I just put on The Soft Bulletin---love that album.

That blog entry was amazing...so sorry to hear about all this; we've never met, but I've been assured by a reliable source or two that you are indeed a real and unique person, and I'm quite sure you will get through all this--changed most certainly, but hopefully stronger and for the better.

All the best to you and your family.

So sorry to hear, Cotton.

i have really nothing more to add to what everyone else has already said, but i'm really sorry to hear this, man.

Since the last post:
-my grandmother's brother's oldest son (2nd uncle?) killed himself. So they both lost their oldest sons in a week.
-my heroin-addicted, fresh out of jail cousin relapsed, called me, and asked me to take him "somewhere". I drove over there and berated him for 45 minutes and then left him crying in the street.
I'm calling my grandmother's house every 15 minutes to make sure she's okay. Also:
-my sister is on the verge of going into labor.
-the decision has been made to move to California

I don't even know where to begin on what is happening with the rest of my family. Needless to say, the wake tomorrow night is going to be trouble.

Jeezuz, Cotton. Hang in there.

I've been hiding from my family for like 8 months now since my brother Pete died. It all got to be too much and I decided to focus on just my wife and kids.

damn cotton...i missed this thread earlier. really sorry to hear about all this. hang in there man.

(sends hug)

Criminy!! Hang in there, Cotton. If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know.

Cotton, I don't know what to say man but you sound like the man of steel (yes, Flaming Lips/blog entry reference). Just remember to breathe, take everything one day at a time because it WILL get better.

My god man.

If there's anything I can do for you from all the way the hell over here... you got it.

Hang in there, indeed.

Sweetie, you want me to drive you up some whisky? Or anything? If you need to run away, my spare room is your spare room.

damn. i wish you and yours the best, cotton.