Sorry for your loss.
When I say,I know how you feel it is because I lived your childhood and my father died the same way. Remember the good times and lay the bad times to rest with your father.

There is no shame in being an alcoholic. Alcoholism is a disease you were born with. No one can control that. The good news is it's treatable, and that you can control.

I remember your Dad situation and was actually thinking about you recently. I'm very sorry for your loss, and for the run-up.

Digital or not, you're among friends here.

Best of luck in your journey and may your father RIP.

Looking at your picture, I’d guess we’re close to the same age. I’m 40. I’ve read and reread your post a couple times. You and your family are in my thoughts.

Thank you for your post.

Best wishes for your good health.

You are in my prayers today. Sorry about your Dad, you sound like your son has benefitted from your experiences so good for you for fixing that. Take care of yourself and your family.

Smudge, I applaud your efforts to prevent your experiences from befalling your son. I hope that your efforts to retard/reverse the effects of drinking are successful. Thank you for sharing your story. Strength and peace to you and your family.

HK Ag

Smudge, I am sorrier than I can say to hear this and know the end of this part of your story.

Congratulations to you for seeing the path you were on, and moving to another.

Ed, I recall being part of the discussion thread when your father was arrested in PA. I had hoped for your sake and peace of mind that things might have worked out with less pain than what you had already endured. I can't offer more than my condolences and prayers, and I do.

Knowing that both of your last words to each other were "I love you" will truly help you get to a point past any thoughts of grief and hurt. I lost my father in 1997, and those were the last words we spoke as well. I've never had any doubt or regret as I heard him say those words to me.

I hope that you have the rest of your days without the torment of the history of your relationship and remember that last conversation the most. Peace.

I’m very sorry for your loss. My parents were alcoholics so I can relate. I got very lucky. Growing up in that environment I just avoided alcohol altogether.

I attended Al-anon when I was a kid and I found it very helpful,

Best wishes.

My deepest condolences. May you and your family find peace in the memory of the good times.

You're a good man, Smudge. Your sincerity and need is moving. May God bless you. My condolences to you and your family, but this was an end that had to come in order for you and yours to truly move on and get beyond the pain to just remember, and keep, the good.

You will find comfort and peace.

sorry for your loss and thank you for the post.

Very sorry for your loss. Thank you for posting this and keep fighting.

You're a good man, Smudge. Being a "friend of Bill" just proves you are the type to seek self improvement and that's an admirable trait.

Smudge - Such a story of sadness and pain that is repeated way too often. My parents, especially my father, were both alcoholics but not mean drunks. Once I was 18, I put distance between us, both geographically and otherwise. I didn't cry when they died and still feel sorry for 2 lives that missed their full potential. I haven't had a drink in 20 years and relish the fact that the disease passed me by. Sobriety is a gift.

I pray that your family can find peace and that you can recover from COVID.
Mike

Yes, very sad to hear your loss. I can sympathize as my father went through similar. Never got to see his only grandchildren and lived his last days in and out of homeless shelters. There was no discussing it with him as he swore he wasn't an alcoholic yet during every wellness check they found his room full of empty wine bottles.

It is a disease that destroys the mind. To this day I am a light drinker because my father died of alcoholism and his father got drunk and passed out in a snow bank and froze to death. Guessing I don't have good genes for hard core drinking.

Hang in there and be sure to be thankful of what you have this weekend!

A very poignant message. My condolences and may your father rest in peace.

Alcoholism is an insidious disease. Best wishes to you for a favorable outcome.

I have to say this is one of the most profound and instructive posts I’ve seen on this Forum.

I send my condolences for your loss, my admiration for your efforts to stay sober and not follow your father’s path, and prayers for you and your family.