You're a really nice guy, Dave...and having you as a member of our Community is something we all should be thankful for.

This Holiday season is the toughest time of the year for those who mourn...you and I know that. The folks here have provided me a wonderful alternative to feeling sad. It can't (nor should it) replace our missing loved ones or eliminate our sorrow completely. But it, and the wonderful and weird denizens of this virtual zoo go a long way to ameliorate sorrow...

As Ed and Mark suggested I do, I'll pass it on to you...when you feel that overwhelming, crushing and searing pain...try to think of the wonderful times and if you do this assiduously, there will be slow but definite improvement.

Give yourself time. Make allowances and if you feel something...don't deny it...let it flow through you and leave.

Helen sounds like a person I would really loved to have known, and you're so lucky to have had those years, as I was to have known Carmela and had what time I had with her. Honestly, they will always be with us, and we will always speak with them. I believe that in their way they still hear us and speak back. Listen to her. She loves you still.

As I said, Dave ... as you were lucky with your time with her, we are lucky for our time with you....so, "Thank you Dave for being our friend."

I was only with mine for 12 years; she passed from Leukemia in February of 01. I was lucky in that we had a 5 year old daughter who kept me going; now it’s almost nine years later and I’m with someone else. I still think of her daily but it no longer hurts. Time heals.

We're happy you're here Dave and I'm very sorry to hear about your wife. My condolences.

I hope you know if you ever need to talk, you can PM me, Dave.  I know that you're going through some of your darkest days, and I think of you often.  Your openness and bravery at sharing your life is a testimony to all of us about the sort of upstanding character you have.  Thank you for letting me get to know you a little bit better than just an avatar at a website. 

We are all so different here,yet  have so much in common too. Be it in a good way or bad we all have a chance to touch others here in the forums.(Doc,warm those hands up first,will ya!)   Every member has a story to tell which serves to bring us a bit closer together.Thanks for sharing your story with us Dave. I'm very sorry to hear of your loss.

And a thank you from me to you Dave. It's no nonsense folk like you who are the backbone of this community.  By the way I like your walls and screensavers. Nothing "bad" there.

You are all so kind with your comments. My wife would not have wanted me to give up and I just got done telling her about you all. Yes it's only to her pictures but I like to think I can see her smile when I'm done.

Same to you Dave.

Dave...from the heart: Happy Thanksgiving, my friend!

Tell you what, Dave, this community has given me hope and strength throughout the years I've been coming here and I'm grateful, like you, to all the fantastic people who comprise this great and wonderful community.  I don't frequent to many online communities, but I doubt there is another quite like this one... another that cares and rallies around those who need that extra bit of support every now and then.

I also want to thank you, Dave, for putting up this thread.  Every now and then we need to reflect on the human condition to better appreciate our lives, the lives of our friends and family... all that we have and all that we are.  Your thread has helped to remind us there is another feeling human being behind the text.... thank you.

My sincere condolences about your wife.

Thanks Dave, your kind words have prompted  this little poem.

  Happiness was born with me

So I could give some of My happiness to the People

that are  sad and lonely

in my community