Loss of Father Poem

My Daddy was a brave man who fought his multiple medical conditions courageously throughout the years. From Type I Diabetes, respiratory failure, kidney failure, congestive heart failure, fungal pneumonia (blastomycosis), cataracts, arthritis, neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, to suffering a major and minor heart attack. He had a triple bypass in 2002, a life-saving procedure in 2012, and was a dialysis patient for nearly 8 years. He was a man of humor, kindness, and humility.

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I lost my dad in 2015; it was so very painful. My father had been admitted in hospitals many times, and so I, being a little girl of 10 years of age then, thought he would be just fine this...

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For My Daddy

Published by Family Friend Poems January 2014 with permission of the Author.

Have you seen my Daddy?
I don't know where he's gone.
Sometimes it hurts so much
I can't seem to carry on.

I hear he doesn't look quite the same.
He doesn't need much rest.
The IV and medications are all gone;
In fact, he looks his best.

Is he playing tag with his parents
In that place way up high?
Or is he napping in God's garden
Where the beautiful in hammocks lie?

Some say he is always watching.
I hope this to be true
And that one day he'll return to me
And say, "I've come for you."

Have you seen my Daddy?
I imagine he's doing okay,
Though it hurts to know
I can't call him every day.

I really miss my Daddy.
I wasn't ready to say goodbye.
It will never be the same.
Years from now, I know I'll cry.

I bet God is with my Daddy,
Wrapped up in His arms,
Sheltered from all illness and sorrow,
Keeping him from harm.

I bet he sees us mourning
But would want us to smile
And tell us our time part
Is only a little while

I'll never quite understand
Why your time here was so small,
But you said you'll always be there
To catch me when I fall.

I miss you so much, Daddy,
But I hope and pray
That when it's my time, you'll come for me.
I'll see you again someday.

I guess it was meant to be
That your work here on Earth was done.
Now your life in paradise
Has only just begun.

Tears that I weep and prayers
Will hopefully travel very far
To reach my loving daddy
Sitting among the stars.

In loving memory of my hero, Abelardo C. Caburnay 1946-2013

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Read More Loss of Father Poems

Has this poem touched you? Share your story!

by Emily
4 years ago

The poem was really touching. It reminded me of my father who was ailing but did whatever he could to make life easier for his children. He was a loving father, humorous and full of jokes. A very popular man with everyone. I am so glad to have read your poem because it brought back wonderful memories of being together with my father.

by Christina Caburnay Poet
4 years ago

Thank you so much for sharing! I hear your dad and mine had things in common, especially with being full of life and humor. I'm sorry for your loss.

by Abisha Rao, Bettiah, Bihar, India
4 years ago

I lost my dad in 2015; it was so very painful. My father had been admitted in hospitals many times, and so I, being a little girl of 10 years of age then, thought he would be just fine this time as well. I had actually developed such a great confidence about this that I thought not for once that something could happen to him. And when Mom told me he was no more, I couldn't muster up that courage to look at his dead body. It hurts I wasn't able to spend those last days with him - the last day we were together he got angry with me. I then didn't get to see him for almost a month when he was in the hospital, and then he went too far beyond my reach. All memories flashed by as I read this poem, and I really felt it in my heart. A poem written from the heart does connect to someone's heart.

by Christina Caburnay Poet
4 years ago

I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you so much for sharing. I made this from the heart and shared it in hopes it would help others, and I'm so glad you were able to connect to it. It's understandable why you couldn't look at him after he passed away. I know our dads are looking at us now though, from heaven.

by Ab
4 years ago

I can totally relate. My story is very similar to yours. My father passed away on April 6, 2015, when I was 10 years old, just like you were, and my sister was 4. Then we shifted to another city, and my sister would ask: "Oh Papa got left behind in Bangalore!" We've learned to cope with the loss, and my sister now understands what actually happened to Dad. Sometimes his memories fill the heart and the eyes with tears.

by Ruth Frimpong
5 years ago

I lost my dad just last month. He was in a coma. It hurts. I have so many unfinished conversation with him. It hurts so much I don't think it'll ever stop.... why is this world so cruel? Why were we born in the first place if we have to go? This is so not fair. I miss you so much, dad...I miss you. I really miss you. I only have memories. Not fair! Not fair! My heart aches....

by Karen Smith
4 years ago

I lost my Dad too. My sister moved him from nursing home to nursing home, so I couldn't see him before he died. It was so heartbreaking.
If you have an article of your fathers clothing, keep it. Even sleep with it. I'm sure it will help.
I'm sorry for your pain, Ruth. Write to me if you so desire. Always keep your father in your prayers and in your heart, and know you're in good company. We all love our fathers even after they have left us. Hang in there. And put a picture of him in your bedroom. It helps.
K

by Christina Caburnay Poet
4 years ago

I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you have been able to find comfort and peace. It's hard to go through such heartache in life... some things are just not fair. But hopefully you've recognized your courage after going through so much.

by Lenda Sofia Nkuna
5 years ago

My dad, my bundle of joy, my joke maker...Dad, you were sick for the past 6 months. Since late July you were fighting diabetes mellitus that spread out on your leg. I always thought you were going to make it out alive. But I have hope that I'll see you soon. I remember you went for an amputation, and it wasn't the easiest journey, but you went through it. You remained strong until your body couldn't keep going. I still admire your courage.

by Rahul
6 years ago

Every minute, every second makes me cry whenever someone calls me by name because it was given by you. You are the one who stands by me whenever I fall. Whenever I'm down, whenever I'm in trouble, I know I have a shelter over my head. Dad, it's you and only you.

by Kellie Parker
7 years ago

I was in pure disbelief the evening of November 5, 2017 when I received the call. The EMTs tried and tried to revive him, but we think his heart just stopped; we don't know. Dad went fast, in his chair at home. The hospital confirmed he was gone. How could this man, who was always there for me no matter what, be gone so fast? I have regrets for not going to see him that day, not knowing that the day before would be the last time I'd ever hear his voice. If I had known our last hug was the very last, I would have hugged him tighter. I am not sure how I will go through this life without my Dad. He was the one constant in my life - the only person who I knew truly loved me. He was a great man his whole life. He never stopped loving, giving so selflessly until the day he died. My heart is completely broken. I talk to him and let him know how thankful I am for his love, how much I love him, and how sorry I was for not seeing him that day and that I hope he can see well now and is in no pain.

by Jackie Gonsalves
5 years ago

I'm a 51 year old woman/nurse. It was the evening of Saturday 2/16/19, when my Dad was called to heaven. We just had friends, my brother, sis-in-law and grandkids over. They actually came to visit with mom. You see, she's just recovering from surgery, 2/14/19, newly diagnosed with breast cancer. She has recovered from the surgery. When everyone was gone, they had gone up with dinner, then I hear a scream from mom. I run upstairs, Dad laying on the floor. I did CPR, yelled for mom to call 911!! They arrived, took over in a matter of minutes, faint pulse, rushed to the E.R., pronounced dead upon our arrival. Just like that he was gone! In a blink, life has changed. My Dad was the world to me/us. My mom, my brothers, grandchildren, etc. I don't know how to go on. I'm here for my Mom. They were together 62 years. How does she go on? Our hearts are completely broken. We talk to him every day. It's so very hard and unreal. Why?

by Flor
7 years ago

My condolences to you and your family. I also lost my father on 11-08-17. His heart also stopped beating. The paramedics revived him, but 5 to 6 hours later his heart completely stopped. We now have ANGELS watching over us. It's hard till this day I can't believe he's gone. I cry myself to sleep.

by Anna Boley
7 years ago

I know, hon. It feels like drinking gasoline then swallowing the match. I was just working on my car and dad's truck 3 weeks ago, and then he had a stroke. He was going down to have his MRI, and that's when they announced code blue. They worked on him an hour but never could get a pulse back. My mother had to be sat in a wheelchair because she could barely stand or breathe, and I had to go in and tell them to stop CPR. They had already punctured a lung from the chest compressions and it was filling with blood. I still don't know how I found the strength to do that. He died November 13.

by Jasmine Bradbury
7 years ago

I lost my dad when I was 5. He died in combat in the military, and I never knew him, but I know he was a good ma. He had loyalty because he let everyone else go before him when they were trying to leave. When he got on the ladder to the helicopter they launched an RPG to him and he fell to his death, but he was brave, and I love him no matter if he is here or not.

by Lady Ckay
7 years ago

I lost my dad when I was 3 years old and my sister was 2 years old. I did not even attend his funeral. He died in his sister's arms. I did not even see him before, but one day I will see him in heaven. I'm 13 years old now.

by Michelle W
3 years ago

I lost my dad on 1/4/21. He had so many problems, and he got sick and was in the ICU because he had blood in his belly. My mom, cousin, and sister were in the hospital when he passed at 1:46pm, and on June 19 is my mom and dad’s anniversary. I know he’s in my heart and looking down on me and my mom.

by Christina Caburnay
4 years ago

Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry for your loss. You sound like such a brave young girl, along with your sister. How unfair that you were unable to go to his funeral, but you will one day meet him for sure like you said.

by Dean Pattrick
7 years ago

It was a night of the year 2012. I remember it clearly because I was not sleeping. My dad had a heart attack at the middle of the night. My heart was thudding in my chest and then he died. He left me alone in this ridiculous world to face everyone by myself. I don't want to accuse him because he had no choice, because it's God who decides our life and death, but why God chose that for him I don't know. He was in his late forties. I don't know why this all happened to me. I was only 10 at that time. It's not fair, and now I think we should realize when in childhood your mama says life is unfair, believe it because it's the truth.

by Christina Caburnay Poet
4 years ago

Dean, I'm so very sorry to hear about your loss. That is so unfair, your mom was definitely speaking the truth. To have lost your dad at such a young age is indescribable. I hope that you have had a good support system around you and have found some peace.

by Jennifer Moore
7 years ago

My father has Stage 4 lung cancer, metastasis from renal cancer, COPD, CAD, hypertension, diabetes, cataracts, and he is only 63 years old. He is currently in the hospital with a chest tube due to his left lung being full of fluid. I don't know how to deal with this, so I am planning his funeral because I think it's coming sooner than anyone else; and I had to do something.

by Darryl Cottrell
2 years ago

I just lost my dad on March 20, 2022 from COPD. He had been fighting for 14 years with the disease. But I know he is now in a better place and not suffering anymore to breathe and be on the machines. He will always be a big part of my life.

by Christina Caburnay Poet
7 years ago

Jennifer, I'm so sorry to hear about all that you're going through. I can relate to having a father who had a lot of health battles. Sometimes things are beyond our control. Planning his funeral in advance is difficult but may help you in the future. I was the main person who planned my father's funeral the day he passed, and it was definitely overwhelming. I just hope your father's funeral is not for a very long time from now. Keeping you in my thoughts. Sending my best.

by Shams Nazir
7 years ago

I'm deeply saddened by your poem amongst all the despair and sadness caused in this world. I have no words of comfort as I suffer in silence. I can't share the pain I feel of dramatic change in my life from having parents, grandparents, and siblings to almost being alone. What I wouldn't give to go back to being 2 years old.

by Christina Caburnay Poet
7 years ago

For what you are going through, I'm so sorry. Please know you are not alone. My hope in sharing this poem on this website was to give words to those who are at a loss, and find comfort in others who have gone through similar experiences. Sending my best to you.

by Sara Benson
7 years ago

Christina, I am so sorry to learn of the passing of your father. He sounds like a truly great man. This poem touched me deeply. It is so beautifully composed with such a gentle and perfect rhyme scheme. The cascading meter is simply divine...dripping somewhat tear-like down the page. The tone and texture are wonderfully authentic. Where did you learn to write such incredible poetry?! I lost my father in the spring of 2014. He passed peacefully in his sleep at home. Your poem really is a work of art and perfectly expresses the deep love that can only be found between a devoted father and daughter. Thank you for sharing it.

by Christina Caburnay Poet
7 years ago

Sara, thank you so much for this sweet and thoughtful post. I'm so glad this poem made a positive impact. I am also very sorry for your loss. I think that the bond between a father and daughter is indescribable for each family, and I honestly just brought pen to paper and this came out. I hoped that it would be relatable to others, which is why I shared it. I wish you the very best.

by SOLOMON
7 years ago

Amazing poem! It touches the soul and mind of all who've gone through the same grief deep down! I lost my dad some 16 years ago, while I was totally unprepared, unmarried, and expectant of lots of happy moments with him to enjoy. He departed in an unprecedented heart attack the same night he was admitted to a hospital. He was telling patients nearby, as he was fighting in agony, that the only thing he regrets was that he was leaving me alone unmarried then...

by Christina Caburnay Poet
7 years ago

Thank you so much for your kind words and taking the time to read this poem, Solomon! I can relate; it was definitely hard to lose my father before my wedding and before he could meet my daughter. There is so much more for our fathers to see in our lives! But I like to believe that my dad is always with me, as yours is with you. No one can really understand losing a parent unless they have lost one themselves. Thanks for sharing your story!

by Kimberly C
8 years ago

What a beautiful poem!! I am an almost 49 year old DADDY'S GIRL. I'm also an only child. My Dad was my Superhero, and nothing could take him down- he always bounced back from health scares. However, this past August- when he thought his heart was acting up again, instead we found out he had Stage 4 Lung Cancer with metastasis to his lymph system and brain.

I am a Physician Assistant-now retired due to heart issues as well- but felt like I was supposed to catch this, and FIX DADDY...even though none of the docs could. He went into the hospital on 8/17/16, and then moved to inpatient Hospice facility on 9/20/16. He never made it back to his home to see MEOW, his cat he was crazy about-and not a cat lover per se. I promised him I would get him home. I failed. I was not capable physically to care for him because I am too weak. On 9/25/16 he passed away with MOM and me at his side. All like a bad dream. This poem is exactly how I feel. Thank you. Clifford Conner 2/16/43-9/25/16

by Kathleen Sypula
5 years ago

Thank you. I don't feel so alone. I am an only child and a Daddy's girl. I miss him every minute of every day. He was diagnosed with lung cancer June '06 and died October '06. I know he suffered because when my mother and my kids would sleep I would watch TV with him. On October 23 I took him for a chemo treatment and the doctor said he should go next door to the hospital because his heart beat was fast. He was in the ER for hours and not happy. I left to pick up mom and brought her back with me. Eventually he told us to go eat because mom was diabetic. We kept saying we wouldn't leave, but he told us he was going to nap. We left and when we returned he had starting vomiting blood and they induced a coma. On the 25 he woke.That evening his family and friends came to visit him. He sent us home and said he'd see us in the morning. A couple hours later we got the call. He did not want to die in front of us. Both parents are gone now. I just wait to be with them. The only child bond is strong.

by Eliza Mae R. Sembajon
7 years ago

I wish my father died only by illness or any kind of sickness, not by accident. It was unbidden and unexpected moment when he was on a vehicular accident on Christmas Day, December 25, 2016. It was then I realize how hard to live without him calling my name every day and reminding me of some of the important things that I should do. Sometimes it crosses my mind why God has been so unfair to me. I've been a courageous and responsible daughter. I go to church and praise His name. However, that very important part of my existence tends to give up due to that Severe Traumatic Head Injury. I hope God send my message to him in Heaven that I miss him all the days of my life.

by Christina Caburnay Poet
7 years ago

Thank you for sharing, Kimberly! I'm so sorry for your loss. I can relate to feeling like I could "fix" my dad, having been his caretaker for most of my life. But I've learned that things were really beyond my control. I believe at any age I will always be a Daddy's girl. He may not have been here for very long, but I am glad I was able to know him as my father. Thank you for the kind words, and I wish you peace and comfort during this time. I don't believe things will heal with time, because for me, there will always be a void, but time will help you adjust. I look forward to being with my dad again, but I do feel his presence with me always. :)

by Sheri Almond
8 years ago

My dad, too, suffered from numerous health issues. He smoked heavily for a long time, which contributed to his poor health. I remember as a child, praying for God to watch over him. My mom called him the million dollar man due to his many surgeries: 4 hip replacements, both carotid arteries opened, quadruple bypass surgery, car accident that resulted on him losing his spleen, a snow blower mangled hand, rheumatoid arthritis, COPD, congested heart failure, and numerous bouts of pneumonia.

Dad graduated from his college on a Sunday and became an employee of his college on Monday. This was the beginning of a 36 year career! Mom and dad were married 56 years. Only those of you who've posted here know my heartache and sorrow in losing your Hero! I love you, Daddy!

by Christina Caburnay Poet
8 years ago

Thank you for sharing your story, Sheri! Sounds like your dad was definitely one of a kind, fighting through all of his health ailments. What an inspiring story! I know we all can relate about how much we admire and love our fathers. I will always be a lifelong Daddy's girl. Thoughts and prayers with you. Until we meet them again, I like to say. Take care.

by Nina Thompson
8 years ago

My father suffered from numerous health issues that just got worse when my mother passed in Novermber 2001, and on August 30, 2016 he passed. I am just blessed that I was able to take care of him the way he took care of me. My dad was my rock and my superhero all the way to the end. Thank you for sharing your poem.

by Christina Caburnay Poet
8 years ago

Thank you so much for sharing, Nina! I'm so sorry about the loss of your mother and your father. I'm so glad that you were able to spend quality time with your father and take care of him until his final day of rest. Sounds like he was very inspiring and had a great spirit! I'm glad we were blessed with great fathers. Not everyone is. Take care and continue to be strong as you are!

by Twinkle Sharma, INDIA
8 years ago

This poem is so touching... Tears roll down my cheeks every time I finish it reading and I've lost my father last year 215 in August due to lung disease and an oxygen problem. He wanted to stay with us forever but god wanted him in heaven now I feel so alone and that craving to see him ... I don't have a word to describe this pain and I want him to give me courage and power to stand on my own, to be a good human being like he was.

by Christina Caburnay Poet
8 years ago

Thank you so much for sharing! I'm so touched by your story and I'm glad you are able to read my poem. I'm so sorry about your dad. I looked up to my dad also; he was the most positive person in my life. It hurt so much the first year and still does, but I was able to cope by remembering him and what he would want for me, which is to keep living. I hope you find comfort in knowing your father is with God. Personally, I don't agree that time heals all wounds like people say, but over time I've learned how to adjust to the change. I am so grateful for this website that we can all lean on each other. Praying for your strength!

by Melanie S. Wilson, Kingston
9 years ago

This poem really touched me a lot! Because of the way it was written about the poet's loved one. I have written a poem about Hope about my dad, who has cancer since this past July.

I'm not really ready to let my dad go!

by Christina Caburnay Poet
8 years ago

Thanks so much for sharing your story! It means a lot that my poem touched others. This is why I decided to publish it. I was really close to my dad and he made me the person I am today. I'm sorry to hear about your dad. I hope he becomes healthier and stronger. Prayers for you and your family.