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sbe · April 14th, 2004, 13:47

John, I'm so sorry. My father passed away in 2002 under circumstances not too dissimilar from yours, and I know exactly what you are going through. I had feelings of guilt because I was out taking a flying lesson when he unexpectedly slipped into a coma. I thankfully made it to the hospital in time to be there when he passed. My mom assured me I was doing what he would have wanted me to, but it didn't help at the time.

Time does help heal but it takes a good deal of it. I don't have someone to harp at me for going 500 miles over on my oil change. He wanted to be at the airport when I soloed and he missed it by two weeks. I think to date that was the most bittersweet moment in my life.

My grandfather presented my father with these pewter cufflinks when he passed his private checkride. They are rectangular and have a stone-type texture with a 172 carved into them. My mom gave them to me the day before my private checkride; they were in my flight bag on my ride so I felt like my dad was riding along with me. I then put one of them into a little shadowbox with that first temporary airman's certificate, the other I had made into a pendant that I wear almost every time I go flying.

You and your family are in my thoughts.

Sarah

April 14th, 2004, 13:47	#38
sbe Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KC Posts: 540	Re: Passing of a Hero John, I'm so sorry. My father passed away in 2002 under circumstances not too dissimilar from yours, and I know exactly what you are going through. I had feelings of guilt because I was out taking a flying lesson when he unexpectedly slipped into a coma. I thankfully made it to the hospital in time to be there when he passed. My mom assured me I was doing what he would have wanted me to, but it didn't help at the time. Time does help heal but it takes a good deal of it. I don't have someone to harp at me for going 500 miles over on my oil change. He wanted to be at the airport when I soloed and he missed it by two weeks. I think to date that was the most bittersweet moment in my life. My grandfather presented my father with these pewter cufflinks when he passed his private checkride. They are rectangular and have a stone-type texture with a 172 carved into them. My mom gave them to me the day before my private checkride; they were in my flight bag on my ride so I felt like my dad was riding along with me. I then put one of them into a little shadowbox with that first temporary airman's certificate, the other I had made into a pendant that I wear almost every time I go flying. You and your family are in my thoughts. Sarah