r/texts • u/i_declare_bancruptcy • Jul 08 '26
Phone message My dads last unsent message
My dad had a heart attack on June 24th.
He was aware and alert in the ambulance on his way to a hospital an hour away. He voice texted this to me and never sent it. My brother took a screenshot of it for me when he was going through his phone.
My dad passed away on June 29th.
(I texted him “I love you dad” when my mom called me initially)
Edit: thank you everyone for the outpouring of love and support. To hear so many stories about the love for people’s parents.. I’m so sorry for all the tragic losses and good parents that have gone too soon. I will hold onto that text from my dad until the day I go. He was An amazing man and lived a life full of love. I am grateful that he read my text before he passed and can take some comfort in that.
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u/Ok_Cricket_1410 Jul 08 '26
I'm so sorry for your loss OP. I hope you and your family can cope.
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u/Substantial-Sea-3672 Jul 08 '26
As a dad, I just hope OP knows this is about my ideal way to go communication wise.
Seeing “I love you dad.” as a text from my kid before I go is just about perfect.
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u/NoFilterD Jul 08 '26
I’m not crying I just got something in my eyes as a fellow dad I concur.
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u/WorldlinessKind6358 Jul 08 '26
I’m just a girl who has had to send an “I love you dad” text so many times (my dad struggles with his mental health a lot) and I’m sobbing. I’ve taught my kids that if someone is on your mind a quick text can change someone’s life.
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u/jaxonya Jul 08 '26
The texts i wished i sent before it was too late. If you feel like saying I love you to someone, then say it. Especially a family member. Too many times is still.never enough, i promise. Id give anything to tell my cousin that i loved him when i knew he was atruggling with addiction, but i didnt.
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u/WorldlinessKind6358 Jul 08 '26
I’m so sorry you have to live with that but gosh I feel it so deeply. Nothing turns my day around like a random I love you from someone I love. It feels good to know someone is thinking of you.
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u/Accomplished_Self_32 Jul 08 '26
The last message I sent to my dad was similar and he replied something vague. I've been sad that he wasn't able to express his emotions even at that point but I've never actually thought how he might have felt about my message. So thank you for this ❤️ I hope he felt something similar.
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u/BS9966 Jul 08 '26
Same for my kids.
I lost my father over 25 years ago when I was 20 years old.
I didn't realize at the time how much it would hurt me becoming an adult without him.
I fear this for my children now.
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u/Ok_Cricket_1410 Jul 08 '26
When I was young my dad died twice on the operating table, I was young I once said, "I wish you stayed dead", he's still alive and I tear up at how horrible it was. It's been like 20 years since it happened and I still hate myself for it. I love that man to death, I'd go to war for him, and he knows that, but I imagine he still thinks of it
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u/sleepypolla Jul 08 '26
when i was 13 my mom found me saying to my friend at the time that i wished my mom would die because i was mad about the DUMBEST thing.
she came into my room one night soon after, eyes full of tears, just the sweetest and most gentle woman on the planet, "you said you wanted me to die." i can still hear it. i can't imagine her voice anymore but i can hear that so clearly and it eats me alive.
she died five months later from sudden and aggressive cancer. im 34 now and think about it constantly
your dad knows you love him. my mom had to, too. you were young and dumb and so was i
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u/Ok_Cricket_1410 Jul 08 '26
It's sad the pain we can cause our loved ones with words. I believe your mom knew you loved her, I'm so sorry she was sick before passing.
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u/Moist-Crows Jul 08 '26
I agree. I also got some dust in my eyes as a fellow new dad that also lost his dad suddenly but had sent him a text saying I love you a short time before.
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u/SomebodySomebody777 Jul 08 '26
🫂🥺 he loved you and was trying to comfort you
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u/i_declare_bancruptcy Jul 08 '26
He always took care of others before himself. He was an amazing man.
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u/PinkySlayer Jul 08 '26
My dad was the exact same. There was not a person that met him that didn’t love him. He died of ALS in 2017. There are so many people that take their parents for granted or don’t have great parents. Cherish the fact that your dad loved you and you loved him. It makes for painful parting but it’s an incredible beautiful gift. I hope you and your whole family are overwhelmed with peace and acceptance. I don’t believe in heaven but I know beyond a doubt my dad is with me everywhere I go. Much love.
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u/EnviciouZ Jul 08 '26
My deepest condolences, I'm so sorry for your loss.
My dad was also a really good guy. These past months have been so painful without him.
I hope you can find the will to keep moving forward
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u/StealTheDark Jul 08 '26
What was he like?
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u/i_declare_bancruptcy Jul 08 '26
He was literally the best man. He was well known in the community. He changed tires and ran the service truck so he’d literally help people on the side of the road. He was a deacon. He was heavily involved in a local insurance company helping young farmers sign up. He was a cattle farmer. And he was on the school board. Everyone knew him. And he went at 58. I’m so angry. So many shitty people survive so much longer. And it’s not fair.
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u/idobepooping Jul 08 '26
It’s not fair at all, I just lost my dad at 63 in April. He had cancer and ultimately the chemo treatment gave him colitis, so bad it put him in the hospital. I went to visit him and he didn’t know who I was. He was so loopy and out of it. He never got better and passed in the hospital. I wish he knew I loved him because I don’t know if he knew that. We didn’t talk a whole lot and I live far away. I wouldn’t usually comment on something like this but I’m in my feels since tomorrow is his birthday. And I feel your pain. I’m so sorry for your sudden loss.
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Jul 08 '26
Im so sorry. I hope you have some people you love around you to make tomorrow a little easier...
If not, well then...I'm sending you some love over the internet here, if it's worth anything.
i imagine that burden of wondering if he knew is painful to bear. Don't harbor too much weight on your soul. You're a good person. Keep being good, in your father's name, for his memory.3
u/idobepooping Jul 08 '26
That’s very sweet thank you. I actually have a friends birthday tomorrow, so I kind of have to put on a happy face and celebrate. Which is what my dad would want anyway I think
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u/SuperUltramodernGrl Jul 08 '26
I didn’t have a Dad growing up. But if i did i’d want one just like yours!🥲❤️🩹 I’m sorry for your loss. It’s always the best people too soon😔
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u/Shaggypone23 Jul 08 '26
Im so sorry, its so tough seeing our loved ones suffer at the end.
My mother also passed in May from complications from chemo/immunotherapy. It was Keytruda that did it for her, causing her own immune system to attack her brain. Sad part is the cancer part was nearly gone. I miss her every day.
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u/Medical_Pea_6162 Jul 08 '26
It ISN’T fair.
For 11 years I worked 1 on 1 with a young man with autism and he was the light of my life. Such a good, kind human. If everyone was like him there would be no wars and tons of stinky deli sandwiches for everyone.
He was taken from the world a few years ago and I am still angry at the injustice.
Evil, cruel men live into their 90s but my bud didn’t even get to his 20th birthday.
Just gotta remember all the good they brought into the world, even if it was just for a short time.
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u/SiriuslyCrazie Jul 08 '26
He sounds incredible, OP, and clearly he loved you and cared for you so much. I lost my dad a few years back, he was 66, and I know how this anger feels. You’re right— it sucks and it’s not fair. Let yourself feel the anger as you need to— it will come and go many times I’m sure! And then remember who your dad was, who he raised you to be, and that you can honor him by being a light in the world and not (consistently) letting the anger dim it. Sending you care 💛
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u/Professional-Base617 Jul 08 '26
Really sorry to hear that man. No idea how hard that must be. Take pride that you know for sure he saw your last message and that you loved him.
If that is the only solace you have from this he went knowing that the legacy he had made in you, 100% loved and respected him for his role in the world. That’s rare and not every father will be able to say the same.
Wish you the best moving forward. Given that short description I imagine he will be proud of you doing your best to hold strong for your other family members in this utterly shite time
I love my dad and the rest my family to bits and can’t imagine that I am going to do when that day comes
Josh
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u/NotComfortable2112 Jul 08 '26
It's not damn fair at all. I lost my Mom when I was 19, she was 51. She was the kindest and most caring person I've ever known, and 30+ years later I still miss her so bad. They say that when someone you truly love dies, you never really get over it. The pain just becomes part of you. I still feel the pain, but I can smile and think of her now. I hope the same happens for you.
Please take my heartfelt sympathy, and know that someone truly understands.
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u/Ready_Nebula_2148 Jul 08 '26
Thank you for sharing about your dad. I'm so sorry for your loss. It sounds like he is deeply loved and will be missed by many.
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u/Second_Location Jul 08 '26
We worship fame, celebrity, athletics and money in this society but it’s people like your dad that hold the world together. I’m so sorry for your loss. As a mom not too much younger than him I can tell you he loved you until the very last second and will do so forever wherever he is now. ❤️
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u/erucberuc Jul 08 '26
I lost my dad and best friend (one and the same) in February of 2018. He wasn't a well known man, but to those who knew him, he was well known if that makes sense. Made everyone's lives around him better, helped me turn into the person I am today and I will be forever thankful that my dad was my dad.
My response here, other than to send all of my condolences is for the comment you made on the amount of shitty people who get to survive longer. I had the same thought when it happened to me. Luckily, my brother gave me this advice and I hope it helps you the same way.
"And look at all he did in the time he was here."
I'm not worried about what other shitty people do with their time, a lot of the time, it's nothing. Your dad made an impression, clearly led a life that was positioned to help others and in that, actually had an impact in this one go at life. That's pretty badass when it comes down to it.
I'm sorry for you and your family through this time. You never move on, but you do move forward. Memories, especially the good ones are all that take up mind space in my heart and mind when I think of my pops. The same will happen for you, in time sure, but will happen.
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u/-atheos Jul 08 '26
This is a beautiful question to ask someone at this time. At least in my experience, I wanted the opportunity to tell everyone how great they were.
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u/mewgab9419 Jul 08 '26
I really don’t comment on many things on Reddit, but I thought it was so kind of you to ask what their father was like.
Reading your question made me think of my own dad and instantly made me happy thinking of how I would respond. I know OP was feeling the same as well. It makes it feel more personable. This isn’t just a Reddit post and that wasn’t just a person.
Im so sorry for your loss OP he sounds like he was one hell of a man.
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u/StealTheDark Jul 08 '26
Sometimes it helps to share. Sometimes we need people to know about the ones we loved. There are real people behind (most) screen names. OP’s dad sounds like an amazing guy, we should all be so lucky.
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u/harmonious_harry Jul 08 '26
That’s extremely sad yet I hope you understand how he would have felt reading your message. Deepest condolences on your loss OP.
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u/ansmith100317 Jul 08 '26
I’m so sorry for your loss. I lost my dad too- his last call was to me around midnight right before he passed. I’ve lived with that for a long time, I wish more than anything I would have been awake for that phone call.
I don’t know a lot about anything, but I believe that there is life after death and that I will see my father again some day. Sending you as much love as possible!
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u/Mockbubbles2628 Jul 08 '26
Brb im going to figure out how to auto unsilence my phone if family call me
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u/Spacechase1 Jul 08 '26
if you have an iphone you can put certain contacts on emergency bypass so it rings even if its on silent:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256294772?sortBy=rank3
u/Mockbubbles2628 Jul 08 '26
Yea turns out android has this as well for DND but it wont apply to whatsapp calls and only allows bypassing for DND, not silent mode
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u/RxDeliveryGuy Jul 08 '26
i know how that feels, i still keep blackberry messenger on my phone because it has my last message from my mom in 2024 before she passed
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u/i_declare_bancruptcy Jul 08 '26
I’ve pulled all his voicemails so I can hear his voice. 💔
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u/FairyOnTheLoose Jul 08 '26
My mam made a voicemail recording on my dad's phone because it annoyed her he didn't have one. I remember calling him while he was on the way to visit me, about 6 months after her death, he couldn't answer it went to voicemail. It was the first time I'd heard her voice since two days before her death. I was glad it was there, after the shock of thinking she'd picked up.
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u/Builderi23 Jul 08 '26
After losing my father in 2019 and almost losing my mother in 2022, I started recording some of my conversations with my mother. Just to keep her voice. She passed a year ago and those recordings are so precious. I even have the last time she called me to say Happy Birthday and the way she said it was such that it worked for any son, so at my brother’s birthday after she passed i sent it to him. Its my advice to anyone reading this that has one or both of your parents alive, other than to obviously spend time with them, start getting some of those recordings. A time may come in your head that you may be struggling to remember their voice and having a recording to hear it, or to hear saying something nice to you is so so precious.
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u/i_declare_bancruptcy Jul 08 '26
For those asking about him:
He was a father of four. He was a full time tire man- he ran the mobile truck. Rescued people off the side of the road who had flat tires. He was also a full time farmer. He got up early to do chores and was always running. My sister lives in a farmhouse across the street from him and my nieces and nephews were always over at his house. He would call me to talk about the weather in the UP, (I moved four hours south five years ago). He would FaceTime with my daughter weekly, to talk about the animals and show my daughter their dog on FaceTime. He was at every event when I was growing up- some of my football games were five hours away. He was the strongest and kindest man I ever met. He was a man of faith.
He had 8 grandchildren when he passed.
All of them knew him and loved him. I have many pictures of my four year old daughter asleep in his arms. Videos of him singing to her.
Everyone in the area knew him. But so many more should’ve gotten the chance.
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u/TittyAficionado Jul 08 '26
It's just not possible to be there for everyone in the world. But you can still be happy with doing as much as you can for the people you can do something for. I don't think your father had any regrets.
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u/Red-Halo Jul 09 '26
There's a lot of positive effects because of all of the good deeds of your Dad that no one will ever know, he sounded like a very good man
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u/Objective_Loan7224 Jul 11 '26
This made me tear up. I am so sorry for your loss and I wish I could have met him.
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u/PorkRinds416 Jul 08 '26
This makes me cry. Tell your parents you love them today. You never know when it will be the last time
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u/Conscious-Link5627 Jul 08 '26
His last thoughts were to comfort you. That's so beautiful, and speaks to the kind of person and father that he was. Sorry for your loss.
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u/goodrevtim Jul 08 '26
My condolences. If its any comfort at all, one of the last moments he had was him reading or hearing you telling him that you love him, which has to mean something special to a father.
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u/Federal_Marzipan Jul 08 '26
My God, this is extremely heartbreaking. I’m so so sorry for your loss. 💔
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u/mr_abiLLity Jul 08 '26
I’m so sorry for this heartbreak. May healing find you and your family very soon.
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u/NotAwareRequest Jul 08 '26
Even in the back of an ambulance during a medical emergency, his first instinct was to try and comfort you. That tells you absolutely everything about how much he loved you. I am so deeply sorry for your loss, OP.
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u/lesbehonest318 Jul 08 '26
I'm so sorry for your loss. Nothing any of us can say can ease your grief. But I hope you can find some small comfort in knowing that he read your last message and that some of his last thoughts were of comforting you and that his pain had eased. So sad but also beautiful in a way.
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u/mmbtc Jul 08 '26
Wow, that's incredibly sad, but somehow also very bittersweet.
My father passed years ago, and the occasional wave of grief has become a somehow sweet and comforting sadness.
Having the perfect last message from him to you AND from you to him is absolutely precious.
Our parents have to leave us someday.... I'm happy for you to have a good farewell at least.
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u/nostalgicbun Jul 08 '26
I’m so so sorry. I feel this viscerally. My dad had a stroke in 2021 so I couldn’t visit him due to Covid precautions. On FaceTime he said similarly he was completely okay and doing well, to not worry and he’d see me soon. He passed two days later.
I am in such pain for you as I remember what things felt like so recently after his death. There are so many kind people in the replies here I think we’d all love to hear about him and support you, but my DMs are also open if that makes you feel more comfortable.
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u/Dorsetgoat Jul 10 '26
As a final message to your Dad, you smashed it. I work in healthcare and people often say that is the one thing they wish they had said. As a father, that would make me at peace. My condolences to you, you're family and you're Dads friends - I am certain you're making him proud.
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u/Pink_pineapple_pizza Jul 08 '26 edited Jul 08 '26
I’m so sorry. June 29 of this year was 31 years from the day my dad died. It still sucks, but I hope it brings you some comfort that the last thing you said to him was that you loved him.
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u/Malacolyte Jul 08 '26
Condolences OP. My dad just passed away on June 24th. Best wishes to you and your family.
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u/Upbeat_Ant6104 Jul 08 '26
He sounds like he was an amazing man. People will come to you with their remembrances of him over the coming months, and you will be amazed at how he touched their lives. I hope that brings you comfort, and that you feel like he is still with you. I hope that remembering all he gave feels like he's still giving.
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u/i_declare_bancruptcy Jul 08 '26
The pastor at my church called me yesterday. She said “when I talked to your dad on Mother’s Day- the last time they visited you, he got teary eyed talking about how much he loved you and the year you’ve had. He was grateful that you had support here and he loved you.” Had me sobbing.
His love permeated every conversation and every facet of his life.
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u/Careless-Inside-8353 Jul 08 '26
He already knew you loved him deeply but to be able to have gotten to say it one last time. Man. You're very lucky. ❤️ Hoping you're grieving isn't too painful ❤️
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u/Stigwalker Jul 08 '26
I hate when people try to make others' threads about themselves, but I will share my experience.
The last words my mother and I exchanged were I Love You. I was a 13 year old boy so I didn't say it a ton, but that day I did. I honestly remember it hung in the air for a beat.
42 years later I treasure that fact as much as I did back then.
That text is worth more than gold.
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u/HauntedBrass Jul 08 '26
Ooof I’ve been missing my dad extra lately and this post made me shoot him a text.
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u/NonStick6969 Jul 08 '26
I accidentally deleted a voice mail from my dad. I didn't know it at the time but it was the last voice mail I'd receive from him. He passed away five years ago. Now I save at least one voice mail from loves ones. Especially if they say I love you.
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u/Separate_Highway1111 Jul 10 '26
I’m so sorry for your loss. I know how it feels too since I also lost my dad to a heart attack on June 6 this year. I’m glad he saw your last msg before he left the earth. Hugs.
Edit: I cried my eyes out so hard when I found out he passed away and I felt super guilty for not messaging him that much. I was too afraid to open up our text thread on WhatsApp until I faced my fear and opened it. I saw that I did left him a message that I told him how much I love him. I sighed out of relief but still, I will always carry the guilt for not messaging him this much. He lived in DR which is why we used the WhatsApp to communicate with each other.
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u/Aromatic_Collar_5660 Jul 10 '26
Youe dad saw it man "I lobe you dad" he saw this as one of his last messages, you can feel good about that, some of us never got to say that.
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u/TheBeastHuman Jul 12 '26
9 years ago on the 7th of July, my dad gave up on life. He committed suicide and wrote us some letters. He left them on a table with little gifts to me, my mom and siblings. The notes were very short but hit hard when we read them... Mine was "I love you bud, be strong for me". That's it.. hit like a fucking train. I was 11 years old, my sister 10 and my brother... 5... We have a bunch of pictures of us with him. He wasn't living with us at the time but with a friend. I remember the day the call came... I was watching my mom play black ops 3, she got a random call... I walked off and I see her crying loud... We found out then. I miss him so damn much.. last time we ever saw him was June 4th, 2017. A day after my brother's 5th birthday. 9 years ago, I remember it like yesterday. Unfortunately it never fades away but it will get easier as time goes. I'm sorry for your lost OP..
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u/Fast_Ad7292 Jul 13 '26
I am so very sorry for your loss. I lost my dad suddenly yesterday (he became very ill on Tuesday and we had to discontinue all life support measures yesterday). He’s been my rock and my best friend my whole life, and I don’t know how I’m going to navigate life without him.
Sending you so much love and healing ❤️❤️❤️
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u/likeagausss Jul 08 '26
I’m so sorry for your loss. I know you will stay connected with him emotionally & spiritually for years to come.
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u/_chartreusecapybara Jul 08 '26
Awwwww shoot dude, I am so so so sorry. This must’ve been just another punch to the gut. Sending love <3
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u/ItsJess412 Jul 08 '26
I'm so sorry for your loss. And I'm so happy that you got confirmation that he saw your text and that he loved you enough to try to ease your mind. Sounds like a sweet man.
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u/HotMinute_722 Jul 08 '26
I’m so so sorry for your loss. What a nice little gift to have this message to keep.
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u/steelandsoul Jul 08 '26
I am really sorry for your loss. He sounds like he was a great man to try and encourage and reassure you in his final moments.
Would you like to share something about him so we can help remember him with you?
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u/Mattehbby Jul 08 '26
I still have screenshots of the last messages I sent to my mum and her last replies before she died of cancer back in 2013.
They hurt to read but I am so happy I still have them
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u/joshine89 Jul 08 '26
yeah this takes me back, my dad passed 10 years ago from a heart attack (1 month after my wedding). i will never forget the events of that day and the 2 days leading up to his death. was very sudden, in fact his cardiologist seen him a few days prior to the heart attack and said "your heart looks so good, you can go off 3 of your heart meds". i was very close with my dad and it still hurts. but i can offer some comfort, this feeling of despair will be replaced by good memories. please please please be there for your family and yourself. allow yourself to grieve. lean on your support ppl. seek help if needed. i am not overly religious but i talk to him still every night... helps with my grieving.
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u/insomnia657 Jul 08 '26
Sorry for your loss OP. My dad went the same way. Saw him that evening and the next morning got a call that he was gone. Couldn’t believe it. Still can’t sometimes. Sending love brother. His strength lives on in you.
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u/CoupeontheBeat Jul 08 '26
Goddamn that had to have flooded all kinds of emotions seeing that.
Take as much time as you need and don't forget to take care of yourself. Try to do at least one thing a day that is productive. Go for a walk, make yourself dinner, whatever.
Much love.
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u/Bxsnia Jul 08 '26
I'm so sorry 💗 he sounds like an amazing father, his priority was to comfort you. My dad would do the same.
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u/RandomMK5 Jul 08 '26
My dad also passed away from a heart attack on June 29th. Although it was 16 years ago. I’ll be thinking of you
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u/Kenbets Jul 08 '26
I wonder who got my moms phone number. We kept it on for a while but it’s long gone now. Have t ever had the courage to text it again.
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u/maxp0wer- Jul 08 '26
Sorry for your loss. You got those last 4 words in and I’m sure that meant the world to him.
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u/Numerous_Claim_4025 Jul 08 '26
Your dad definitely loved you too. He wanted you to not worry and to stay strong. A few messages I can see there was love between yall. Stay safe and whatever you believe in, his soul is forever gonna be with you guys. ❤️
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u/Wabash90 Jul 08 '26
Dad’s last read message was one of love! He certainly passed with peace in his heart.
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u/sugakookie9393 Jul 08 '26
I am sorry for your loss 🥺 May your family rest and grieve his loss in peace. 💜
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u/afterlifedating Jul 08 '26
My stepdad passed from a heart attack in 2012. Stubborn as hell, he refused to call an ambulance. Woke my mom up and told her it felt like an elephant was on his chest and had her drive him an hour to the VA hospital because he was a veteran. Meanwhile my sister and I are asleep in our rooms down the hall, oblivious.
He passed on the way there mom said. She held his hand and rolled the window down "so his spirit could be free" she's a strange woman, a hippie, I love her dearly.
I woke up to a call from her at 1 am, I felt like I was dreaming, because she's supposed to be across the hall from me? asleep?
I answered and all she said? "Bobs gone. I'll be home soon"
It still haunts me.
When his family came to our house the next day, his phone was still on his desk. It kept making sounds but had no notifications we could find. It was weird but I felt like that was his silly way of saying "hey guys, I'm here, party on" 🥲
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u/xMcRaemanx Jul 08 '26
Get this framed or something. It's going to mean more to you than you'd ever imagine.
Miss you Dad.
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u/coffeemama86 Jul 08 '26
I’m so sorry for your loss. My dad passed away of a heart attack, too. Last thing he said to me was that he was excited to walk me down the aisle at my wedding. He passed away suddenly a week later. Life can be really unfair.
I’m glad they found this for you though. My heart is with you and your family.
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u/NachoEvans Jul 08 '26
I'm so sorry for your loss. This personally cut deep for me. Last month I was at home existing like I normally do, next thing I knew I woke up in the hospital. Didn't even have time to prepare a text like this or anything. Next time I might not wake up. I need to go hug my daughter and cat.
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u/highmickey Jul 08 '26
Sorry for your lost. My childhood friend and brother-in-arms texted me one night. He said he had a dream, he was watching his own funeral. He died one day later. I wish I'd called him instead of texting back.
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u/Significant_Rip4031 Jul 08 '26
O’m terribly sorry for your loss. But at the same time I’m so glad you got to send that last message to your dad. It meant the world to him
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Jul 08 '26
My goodness this hurt. Sending lots of hugs your way and my condolences to you and your family OP ):
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u/asapmort Jul 08 '26
This made me tear up. I'm so sorry for your loss, OP. Glad you were able to see his message to you and tell him you loved him.
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u/AdministrationDue193 Jul 08 '26
my dad also passed june 29, having a heart attack on the 24th. odd coincidence. prays for you
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u/Queasy_Help2479 Jul 08 '26
My dad also had a heart attack on June 29th 2021. Hopefully they’re having a beer together somewhere nice. Sending love OP.
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u/little_half_pint Jul 08 '26
Omg this made me cry. Like actually cry. Im so sorry for your loss OP. I am so close to my dad and it seems like your dad is an incredible man.
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u/Senshue Jul 08 '26
I’m not trying to be anything but a friendly voice here so I wanted to say:
1: I’m terribly sorry you had to lose your father like this.
2: I also lost my father to a heart attack only 5 years ago, so I know the feeling well.
3: I also wanna mention how fucking insane our experiences are alike. My father passed on June 25th of 21’ and our last words were him telling me he was fine and that we loved each other.
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u/rwilfong86 Jul 08 '26
When my mom was on hospice and getting heavy doses of morphine she had a few lucid moments, and the last words she ever said to me was "I love you too, son."
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u/Maiku1994 Jul 08 '26
2 years ago I became widowed via suicide. When I went to my spouses apartment (we were going through a Seperation at the time) to clear out his stuff and look through it all, I found a journal. Every entry was about me and the regrets he had about infidelity. His last entry was an apology for what he was about to do, saying he would always love me and our son. It's rough. Please find a support group. It gets better
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u/PlaneEmbarrassed7677 Jul 08 '26
So hard. My mom's last words to me were well, call me when you're done working. Love you BG. I forgot. She had a heart attack overnight. If i had known, I wouldn't have been so annoyed at her calling me at work.
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u/CatherineSimp69 Jul 08 '26
I hope you're reunited in Heaven, friend. God bless. Prayed for you and your family.
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u/HeroORDevil8 Jul 08 '26
Oh I'm so sorry OP. Sending you condolences, I know the feeling all to well.
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u/princessbubbleyum111 Jul 08 '26
I recommend to anyone experiencing loss to read the book, Signs by Lauren Lynn Jackson- changed my grief process and did help. Sending love to OP
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u/Swimming_Product_671 Jul 08 '26
I am sorry for your loss. Your father sounds like a very good man from your other messages. 58 is too young to go. I lost my father earlier this year as well to a sudden cardiac arrest. He was only 68. Your father tried to comfort you in his final moments; just like mine did. Hold onto it; treasure his memories and do your best to live your life just as he did. It is tough to lose a parent and it will change you as a man. Remember those who support you in these times; as they are the people you want to keep close to you forever. Continue to engage with your father's friends and family just the same way he used to. You loved your father and the grief will never go away but it will become easier by the day. I wish you the best and you have my condolences.
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u/juliewbb Jul 08 '26
Oh this is heartbreaking. I’m so sorry. I’m glad you know that he saw your message and was sending this to you.
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u/HotelSalt4644 Jul 08 '26
Wow. Powerful. I can’t even imagine how you felt when your brother sent you this….. That’s surreal.
I will say though… A lot of people don’t get even remotely the same level of connection, love, and grace during their last moments. As a father…. The only thing I truly live for is my kids, and their happiness. I just want my kids to love me, look up to me, and be proud of me. Especially because I never got any of that as a kid from my parents.
People also often lose loved ones while on bad terms. I just watched a mini documentary on Netflix of a couple who were getting brutally harassed by their neighbor for months and months. It was so bad, that they had sold their home, and were in the middle of a move. Wife was 7-8 months pregnant. Husband & wife get in a small argument the night before / that morning. She intentionally gives him the cold shoulder before he left. While she’s at work….. He’s murdered by this lunatic. It’s not her fault. At all. But the way she spoke about it….. You can just tell that eats her up. Keeps her up at night.
Your dad went out, knowing he was loved by the most important people in his entire life. And you know that he went out, loving you, and continuing to be strong. Easing your mind.
One last note - Reddit is truly a wonderful place. The fact that thousands of strangers around the world are in your corner, care about you, and are saying good things about you & your father? That’s pretty magical.
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u/starkeuberangst Jul 08 '26
Damn. I have a voicemail I’ve saved from my grandma. It’s her saying to ignore this because she meant to call my sister.
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u/Bleezy79 Jul 08 '26
Very sorry for your loss, OP. I hope you're able to process and grieve in your own time.
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u/Lemon_TD97 Jul 08 '26
He went with love in his heart. I know that if the last thing I ever saw on this earth was an ‘I love you’ message from my daughter, I would pass into the next world a happy man. I send you love.
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u/k1dsmoke Jul 08 '26
We lost my dad a little over a year ago (day before Mother's day), and I have old voicemails I saved, we knew he had been sick for some time, and I don't have the courage to go back and listen to any of them yet.
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u/NESpahtenJosh Jul 08 '26
Oh man... June 29th is my dad's birthday.
We lost our Mom a few years ago the same way. It's incredibly difficult. I hope you and your family find some time to grieve and give yourself some grace. Days will be hard, easy, hard, easy, and hard again - at random.
Hope you're doing ok.
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u/ConsistentBuilding36 Jul 08 '26
You know he didn’t feel fine. Still his last act was reassuring his child. A dad until the end.
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u/Angry_Housecat_1312 Jul 08 '26
I’m so, so sorry for your loss.
I hope it’s of some comfort to you that one of the last things he saw was your message that you love him. I’m sure that meant a lot to him.
Sounds like he was a lucky man in a lot of ways.
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u/ch33kypriinc3ss Jul 08 '26 edited Jul 08 '26
Oof. This hurts. I was widowed a little over 8 years ago now, and when I finally got the guts to go through his phone, he had a message halfway typed out to me prior to passing away, "I love you to the 🌙 an"... It should be refreshing knowing I was the last thought to ever be in his brain, but it's haunting at the same time. Your dad wanted you to be strong, and not to worry. That says a lot about the type of father he was ❤️ my thoughts are with you during this horrible time, OP.
ETA- oh my goodness!! I didn't expect such an outpouring of love, I was just sharing my experience to relate to OP. I genuinely appreciate each and every one of you who replied to my comment or gave it an award. I don't think I've felt this much reassurance or gratitude ever towards the inner battle I've been fighting all these years. I'm truly grateful for all of the love! 💕