15 years.

[indecks]

Preface: This isn't a sympathy thread.

My dad died 15 years ago in a car accident in our front yard and today is the anniversary. It sucked, and while I do remember the day, and I remember it every year, I'm not really sad. It's been 15 years so while I'm not "over it" and I still miss him, its gotten much easier as the years have gone by. What confounds me is how much things have changed in those 15 years. I got married a year after that, I moved away from my childhood home, I own a house, my mom's remarried, and our lives are very different.

At the time of his death, he was 44, and I was 20. I'm 35 now and I'm only 9 years away from being as old as my dad was or ever will be. I was one of those idiot teenagers that didn't realize how cool my dad was until too close to the end. I was starting to realize he was hilarious, cool, fun to be around with and have a beer with. Almost my entire teenage life I was against being around him, I thought he was an old asshole that didn't understand life or my 'problems' etc etc. Typical dumbass teenager. But at least I did start to realize he was a cool guy. I wish my dad could have met my father in law, they'd have gotten along great. He (my dad) met my wife - then girlfriend - a couple times and I remember he pulled me aside after meeting her. He said to me "Damn son... you've got taste in the ladies. How'd you pull this one off?" and laughed. My wife was quite the hottie when we were first dating. I mean she totally still is, but - imagine that scene from Family Guy where they go back in time and the dog sees 18 year old Lois.

"18 year old Lois.... SONOFABITCH!"

Anyway, so yeah - I miss my dad. He was already a codger at 44, but he was pretty cool.

[AppleQueso]

My dad was never really around, so it's kinda hard to relate.

Both of my grandparents died the past couple of years though. I still miss them.

[Luke]

My Father and Father-in-law both had a birthday over this weekend and I consider myslef more than lucky.

Even at my age, my Father is still Superman to me. I'm my Father's son, and doubt I'll ever live up to his reputation. What I will do however is continue his legacy. "Help those that need help. Never let chivalry die. If you choose a battle, it better be worth dying for. And THINK! Think. Think. Think."

After all these years Indecks, as long as you believe you have lived your life like your Father would have wanted, you should be more than proud of yourself.

[sevin0seven]

Father and Son:

[ksloth]

You sound like you have a good head on your shoulders Indecks, and have done good for yourself in life. That's pretty much what any dad wants for their kid.

When my son is 20, I'm going to be almost 60. Talk about an old codger hehehe. I hope I can 'still' be cool then, if I ever was heheheh.

Oh, and he's 2 1/2 years old so that's a long time from now.

[indecks]

Thanks for the kind words fellas. (cat stevens rules)

My mom texted me a few minutes after I posted this, heh. She said she was thinking about me and my sister. My moms cool.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Good post. I think your father would be proud of you.

From about 12-16 I was pretty annoyed just being around my father and wishing he'd leave me alone. 18, only a month away from 19, now, I respect and love spending time with him more than anything. This thread really makes me appreciate I have a father like mine.

[3DSStrider]

My dad died in a car accident on August 19, 2009, the second day of sixth grade. I remember my mom telling me. I thought it was some sort of joke. Then my grandparents walked in.

He was one of the coolest people I've ever known. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be playing video games, and I wouldn't be on this forum. Unfortunately, he broke up with my mom when I was about eight, so I rarely saw him. The last time I saw him was my eleventh birthday, the day before, and the day after, seven days or so before he died. I'm glad that I was able to spend time with him before he died.

The weird thing is, I don't even think about it much. Since I rarely ever saw him anyway, it's almost as if he didn't die. I think now, as I'm typing this, is the first time I've cried since the night he died. I really should remember him more, considering that I still have a lot of the stuff he's given me in the house. It honestly scares me a little, especially with how little I think about my great-grandfather who died about a year later.