I've had some emotional struggles these last few days. I was getting ready to call it a day when I noticed my girl had made a post on facebook. Im copying her words here for those who dont have facebook. I am so incredibly proud of these kids of mine!! They are tough!!
The past 17 months have changed our family forever.
Watching my dad go through ALS and FTD was something I can’t fully put into words. What he carried, physically and emotionally, was more than most people will ever understand, but he did it with so much strength, honesty, and love.
As a family, we did everything we could to support him. Being a caregiver for someone you love means wanting to do anything and everything to help and keep them. My mom carried that in every moment, and alongside my siblings and I, we stood by him through every step.
But through it all, my dad knew exactly what he wanted. I was always amazed by how strong-willed and certain he was in that. My dad was always clear about his values and the life he wanted to live.
When the time came, as his family, we stood beside him with love and respect every step of the way.
At just 23 years old, and walking through this alongside my siblings, this is not something I ever imagined, but it has changed me in ways I’ll carry forever.
This experience has taught me so much, not just about love and loss, but about the diseases themselves, what to expect, and how different it can look for everyone. I’ve learned how hard it is to adapt to a completely new lifestyle and routines, and how much strength that truly takes. And through all of that, I’ve learned how incredibly important, and how truly special, it is to have people who show up for you.
It’s not always easy, and it doesn’t always mean you fully understand or agree. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable, unfamiliar, and hard. But it does mean choosing to be there anyway. It means leading with compassion, asking questions, and showing love, especially when it matters most.
There are some experiences in life that are deeply personal and hard to fully understand from the outside. I’ve learned that not everything can be explained in a way that everyone will understand, and I’ve found peace in that. What matters most is how we choose to show up for one another.
I’m so incredibly grateful for the people who showed up for him, who sat with him, supported him, and loved him through every stage of this. That kind of presence means everything.
And my mom, your strength, your patience, selflessness and your love through all of this has been beyond anything I could ever explain. The way you supported him, honored him, and stood by him through such a difficult decision, after doing everything possible to find another way, shows what true, selfless love really looks like. I am endlessly proud to be your daughter.
At the end of all of this, what matters most is love, and choosing to show it fully and consistently. I am beyond thankful for all of the support we’ve received, and I truly believe everything happens for a reason. I will carry this experience with me as a guide, using it as strength to continue learning, growing, and becoming a better person.
Diseases like this take so much, and it’s only made me realize how important it is that we continue to push for awareness, research, and ultimately a cure for ALS and FTD.
Hold your people close.
—And to my angel in the sky, I am so incredibly proud of you. I saw your strength, your fight, and the way you stayed true to yourself through everything. What you carried and what you endured will stay with me forever. I love you more than I can ever put into words, and I always will. I know you’re at peace now, and that brings me comfort. And I’ll always be thinking of you. Here’s to healing, to love, and to carrying you with us always 
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