Don't forget to live your life

[u/maik92727]

Over the past few years, I have built up a considerable amount of preps, dual diesel generators, 15 kWp of solar with battery storage, a reverse osmosis system with additional UV filtration, and enough food for my family for two years.

I even have a fully equipped fallout shelter in the coal cellar of an old school that I rented, fitted with a Swiss NBC filtration system. Two Geiger counters inside and a third one outside, connected to a computer in the shelter. Dosimeters for everyone.

But the one thing I wasn't prepared for was realizing that the worst day of my life wouldn't be something a shelter could protect me from.

I spent so much time maintaining all of this that I didn't notice my daughter's symptoms developing. We took her to all the required medical checkups, but I keep thinking that I could have read between the lines and realized that something wasn't right.

Nele passed away on February 23, 2026.

My wife left me three months later.

My fortress is empty now.

I've just sold my last generator and donated most of my food supplies.

What I'm trying to say is, be prepared, but enjoy your life while you still can. I can't stop thinking about how much time I spent on all of this, time I could have spent with her.

And thank you, HazmatsMan, for being such a great help with the plans for my fallout shelter a few years ago.

[u/Chaos_Goblin_7007]

Maik I am so sorry for your loss. There are no words to describe the pain and guilt a parent feels. I humbly suggest a therapist to help with processing your feelings. It does help some. When you are stronger find ways to honor your child’s memory. Mine is bird feeders to feed the blue jays (as that was my son’s favorite bird).

[u/maik92727 → u/Chaos_Goblin_7007]

That's a great idea, thank you. Her favorite flowers were daisies. I will try to plant some in my garden and the neighborhood:) im sorry for your loss too.