Living in a household of women and being the only man I found myself feeling that it was my job to try and deal with my family’s problems and help with their pain and hurt over my Fathers illness. 

 

When my Father finally passed away, after the initial hurt and pain I went through due to the loss, I found that the entire time I had spent preoccupied with what everyone around me was feeling, I hadn’t given myself time to adjust to what was happening.  Also, prior to my Father dying and in the months following trying to cope with his death realise that I had been trying to be strong for everyone else and hadn’t let myself grieve.

 

The mistake I feel I made was trying to be a pillar for everyone else and not showing my feelings. My advice to anyone, young or old who is going through the same type of experience as I did is, instead of acting as the support for your family, comfort each other, be strong for each other but allow no person to shoulder all of the worry.