Life is short – live it, love it, treasure every moment.
My father is 89, and unfortunately life did not grant us much time together. But I love him and always will. His stories and his laugh, his kind eyes and his wisdom.
Being a forest man and a hunter, he’s had many dogs over the years, but the last 15-20 years he did not want to have any more dogs. He said the goodbyes were too difficult.
– and they are. But I feel all the love given over the years makes it worth the pain.
My father worked in this forest for 50 years, and these stones are what is left of the house he once lived in.
I sometimes miss what we could have had together, but I am very grateful for the moments we got. Only these last two or three years, we have come closer, and now it seems time is slowly running out.
I hope to have him with us a bit longer, and that there will be enough time left to give him another beautiful spring. I am not religious, but I pray.
Leya 
Beautiful photos and very touching words! I understand from the comment above that he passed away in the meantime. I’m sorry, please accept my condolences.
I hope so too. I did not have much time with my father either. Fathers have a way of leaving us a lot, even if it is only our appreciation of their characters and their love of nature, which we share.
Susan, I lost him yesterday. I felt it coming. I hope there is spring where he is now-and roses. He loved roses.
Beautiful tribute to your father and well – trying to make what time we have the most precious, and connecting, when we suspect time is short? is, to me, the hardest thing to ‘deal’ with, as a human – i.e. – beautiful, but so intense, we cannot, in earlier times of life, really ‘get it/fathom’ making that an all consuming priority for forever – to me, this is the continual conundrum of being ‘mortal’ – so much Life has to offer, and yet, those heartbreaking moments when we realize how very short it really is – for us and for those we love – four-leggeds included….
Yes, you are so right. And I lost him yesterday. I wish there is spring where he is now.
My condolences. ❤
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Beautiful post in words and photos
Thank you, Nora.
Your beautiful post–the photos, your words–brought tears to my eyes. Your father sounds like a very special man. I do hope you have much more time together, to lover and enjoy each other.
Thank you, Marie, he was a very special man. I lost him yesterday – I felt it coming. I hope there is Spring where he is now.
Oh, my dear, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you find comfort in your memories and that he may now be in eternal Spring. xoxo
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Such a touching post, and thoughtfully and beautifully illustrated. Time is indeed precious, and whether we have a lot of it or little, we should value and make the most of it – as you clearly are the time with your father. Sending hugs 🤗
Thank you, Sarah. I lost him yesterday. Hugs back to you. I hope there is spring where he is now.
Oh no, I’m so sorry 🤗 But still glad that you got to spend some precious time with him Sx
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those stones are such a sad reminder but then too there is Spring to hope and pray for you and your father
Thank you, Laura. I lost him yesterday. I felt it coming. I hope there is spring where he is now.
oh how prescient – how tremendously sad Leya. It was his time then to go to the Spring xx
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Spring is close now. Hopefully close enough for you to enjoy together.
I lost him yesterday, Jo. Today the sun is shining, and I hope there is spring where he is now.
Oh, darlin, that’s so sad! I’m sure there will be. I’ll think of you this glorious morning. Sending hugs 🤗💗
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It is a blessing to be part of ones parents’ last years. I’m religious and will pray for more borrowed time with your father. Your photos are beautiful – that boardwalk by the sea has the most beautiful colours.
Thank you for your kindness ❤️
It is so lovely you have come closer in the Winter of his life Ann-Christine, enjoy this special time together 💖
Thank you, Xenia. That was my hope, but I lost him yesterday.
I am so sorry for your loss dear Ann-Christine, sending lots of love and light your way 💞💜💞 xxx
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What a lovely post. Your heartfelt thoughts are accompanied by images that – even by your high standards – are particularly beautiful and resonant.
Thank you, Margaret, you are always too kind. I lost my father yesterday. I felt it coming. Today the sun is shining, and I hope he will have spring where he is now.
Oh Leya. I’m so very sorry. The love you show to every member of your family shines out from any post where you mention any of them. I hope your father’s long life gives you many happy memories, and that he too is continuing to celebrate the coming of spring.
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A touching post and a great reminder.
Thank you, Nes. Often we don’t realise it until it is too late.
Oh, this is so beautiful!! Life is precious. I have a very strong faith and believe in the power of prayer. My parents have lived near us for quite a few years now. I know someday our Saturday night dinners together will be treasured memories. …and I understand your dad’s feeling about the loss of a pet. I am dealing with that right now myself. One of the hardest things I’ve ever dealt with. You and your dad make sure to give each other lots of hugs! ❤️🤗
Thank you, Lisa. And yes, losing a dear pet is so tough…was it a cat or a dog maybe?
I lost my father yesterday. Today greeted me with sunshine. I hope he will have spring where he is now.
Oh my goodness, I am so sorry! 😢I can’t imagine how hard that must be. My lost pet was a cat. I had two sisters for over 19 years. Lost them, got two more cat friends. I lost the boy a few years back, then I lost my girl. I’d had her about 13 years. We have decided not to get another one due to travel and life. I have no kids, and this is one of the hardest things I have ever dealt with. I still have my parents, but I can’t imagine how hard that will be. Hopes and prayers that your heart is comforted 🙏
Thank you, Lisa. Sad for your little ones, but can relate to the thought of not getting new ones. We say our dog will be the last one too.
I am religious and I do pray you have more time with him. We moved to Arizona in 2020 to spend time with my aging parents and were able to have about 2 years with them before they passed away last year. It was a big move but worth it. This is a touching post, A-C, with beautiful photos (no surprise).
Thank you, Janet. You had two good years together then. I lost my father yesterday. This morning the sun is shining.
I’m so sorry to read this, Lena. Yet it seems that you valued the time you had and I’m thankful for that. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
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I hope you get to share another spring with him.
Jude, I lost him yesterday. ❤️
Oh, no. So sorry to hear that.
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I am not religious either . . . but I too pray . . . and had a father who gave it all to me and made me the person I am today. I hope he is looking down and saying ‘not too bad’ . . .
Thank you, Eha. I am sure he is! I lost my father yesterday. Today is hard.
saw this accidentally a moment ago. There is nothing sensible I know how to say at the moment. Just that you will be in my thoughts . . . wish I could quietly put my arms around you . . . . go walk in your beautiful forests . . . the trees will hold you and the wind talk to you and the birds tell that a few days down the track life will be just a small tad easier . . . all my love Eha
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