To all of you lovely people accustomed to stopping by my blog on any kind of a regular basis, I just want to say hello, and ask you to bear with me.
For the first time since I began blogging in 2013, I need to take a little break. My wonderful and most excellent Dad passed away on April 17th. It will take me a little time to get back to writing. Perhaps a little more time to poke fun at things again.
So if you’ll excuse me while I turn my head inside out and figure out where the humour now lies, I’ll be back.
He really was most excellent, by the way. He’d even read my blog once or twice. And made sure to shake his head at it when I wasn’t looking.
Tara Sparling writes 
So sorry to read this, Tara. Put yourself first.
Love Sxxx
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Thanks, Ms S. Trying to go with the flow anyway. Xx
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Bummer Tara. Never easy. Take your time natch and the humour will come esp. When he sits on your shoulder and tells you to get on with it, shaking his head. I know. Mine’s there now, laughing at dog farts. As ever. See you back here when he’s got himself, and you, settled
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Thanks so much Geoff. A lovely comment the day of his funeral was from an old friend, who said she loved his great wit, “and the way he wouldn’t be afraid to use it against you”. I think he’s been part of my brain since year dot and is highly likely to stay there…
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So sorry about your loss, Tara. My condolences. Your fabulous humor will be (temporarily) missed.
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Thanks, Dave, appreciate your support, as always.
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It’s an enormous shock, of course, and I understand how you must feel, in part. It does take time.
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It does, Will. He went too soon, and now it seems I have all the time.
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So sorry to hear that Tara.
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Appreciate that, Lucinda.
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Tara you look after yourself. It’s a very tough time. xx
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Thanks Mairead xx
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I’m so sorry for your loss, Tara. It’s tough, though inevitable. And he sounds like a sweet person.
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He was wholly amazing to be fair. I was lucky to have him.
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Thinking of you during this difficult time. It really is pants 😢
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Thanks.
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I’m so sorry, Tara. Always remember him.
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He wouldn’t let me forget Marina! Much larger than life ever was.
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Sorry for your loss.
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Thank you Bertrand.
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So, so sorry to hear of your loss, Tara. It’s crushing to lose a beloved father, I know. Sending love and empathy from overseas… ❤
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The old clichés hurt the most, Lorraine, but both my folks went too soon. Thank you.
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So very sorry for your loss. A hole in one’s heart that is hard to heal.
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Just getting used to the new space here, Kathryn.
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Much love T ❤️❤️❤️
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Thanks Eims xx
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It is never easy to lose a loved one. Peace.
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Thank you Andrew – peace ahead I hope.
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Sorry for your loss
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Thanks, Stanley.
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Grief takes many different forms, so do whatever you need to do to take care of yourself while you go through this. The one thing I know is it’s very hard to be funny while you’re in the process. I stopped writing for nearly a year after my dad died, and tons of people told me to toughen up and “just write. ” They were not helpful. I spent a lot of that year gardening and walking on the beach. There’s no wrong way to grieve.
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Indeed there isn’t, Anne, and there’s no one way, either. Every grief is different for every person and every loss. I might head back into ‘bleak’ comedy yet, you never know. Thanks for your kind words.
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Tara, I’m very sad to read this and so very sorry for the loss of your Dad. You crossed my thoughts this week and I came here to see if you’d anything new. That’s what the ‘strangers’ who matter do.. tug at an aul sleeve we don’t realise we’re wearing. Wishing you some sense of navigation ahead. I’ll be thinking of you. Mind yourself eh.
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I appreciate that, Tenderlation. I felt your tug on my sleeve too. Sorry for not replying earlier, my blogging friends deserve better, but I’ve been very busy trying to remember who I am. You know the way. X
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My condolences.
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Thank you Anthony.
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Bon Voyage, Tara’s dad. 😦
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That’s a nice image, Widdershins, thank you.
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I lost my Daddy and my Mother in the last couple of years. Please accept my sympathy at this time for you and your family. It is tough – no way around that. Take care of yourself. Much love.
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Thanks Alicia, and sorry for your loss also.
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It doesn’t get easier, but you adjust, because you continue to live.
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Give yourself more time than you expect – not necessarily time away from blogging or anything else, but time to accept, to grieve, to become a reframed person and to remember all the wonderfulness and excellence of your Dad. Be kind to yourself.
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That’s excellent advice, Hilary, and I will be taking it. Appreciate your kind words.
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I’m so sorry, Tara. Judging by the wonderful daughter he raised, he was a most excellent person indeed.
Hugs,
N.
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Thanks so much, Nick. He wouldn’t agree with you, but he’d have a mighty glint in his eye while he was at it…
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Sending thoughts your way. You won’t ever get over it, but in time it hurts less.
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Very true, Jane, it’s the waiting that hurts most.
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My deepest condolences to you and your family.
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Thank you, Armen.
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Big hug and take care Tara Xxxxxxx
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Hugs sorely welcome, Berni, thank you.
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So sorry to hear it. Take your time, and we’ll all still be here when you get back.
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Music to my ears from my longest standing blog buddies – appreciate that so much.
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Sorry for your loss Tara, I was close to my Dad and still miss him terribly after 19 years. It takes a long time to find your joy again but it does come back eventually. xx
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It does, Liberty. I just wish joy didn’t have to go on holidays. I could’ve done with another few years. But such is life. X
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I’m so sorry for your loss, Tara, and sending warmest thoughts your way. As I learned from when my mum died, the blogosphere is a wellspring of warmth. and good wishes. Deepest condolences.
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It really is, Jools. People have been so kind. It’s a wonderful community and thank you for your kind words.
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I’m so sorry for your loss x
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Thanks Mary, you’re very kind to comment.
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Not at all, I can’t imagine what you’re going through x
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So sorry to hear this , dear Tara , be good
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Appreciate your kind words getchiz.
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Condolences on the loss of your Dad. So hard to lose our parents. I hope you take as much time as you need. Grieving is hard work and not to be rushed.
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Thank you Molly, you’re very kind. I will take your advice.
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