Express yourself!

So when is Steve Jobs going to make a visit? With the switch to Intel won't he need to broadcast his RDF from orbit?

I'm glad to hear that your knee is feeling better!

My mom passed last fall from cancer also - as you say, even after expecting for so long (7 years in this case), its hard. My condolences to you and the rest of your family.

Remind yourself to keep good images/thoughts/whatever of your father in your head every day. Celebrate his life.

--Andrew Rawnsley

Oh Brian, I'm so sorry. You and your mother are in my prayers.

--Christina

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I can't imagine losing my dad. He's always been one of the greatest people in my life, and I can only imagine that your own father means as much to you. Please accept my sincere condolences. I, along with all your fans and the rest of the Sooner Nation, grieve with you.

--Chris Mallow

I'm so sorry about your dad... *hugs*

--Syn

The Bible says "The memory of the righteous will be a blessing." (Proverbs 10:7)

I grieve with you.

--James

Sorry to hear about your loss. It looks like you have some good memories. I would just like to know what remarks your father made when he saw the picture and noticed that you are wearing a short sleeve shirt in Minnesota at night when there is snow on the ground.

:( my deepest sympathy bud - keep him alive in your memories.

--Spike

My deep condolences on your loss. You're in my prayers.

- John McLain

Sorry to hear about your Father. Sounds like a tough guy to fight for 5 years.

My deepest condolences, Brian. I've quietly enjoyed your comic for several years and was dumbstruck by news of your father's passing. You're in all our thoughts and prayers.

--Soleio

I'm sorry to hear of your dad's passing. Don't worry about the comic -- family's more important by far!

--Anne Gibson

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this difficult time. There really are no words that I can use to express my sympathy, but know that your fans have enjoyed your strip for years and that is truly a wonderful tribute to your father's memory.

-Kari

Just wanted to send my condolences on your father's passing. I was alerted by another Rockwood fan. I've enjoyed your comic since my time at OU and it has helped me laugh on many days when I needed a lift. Please know that there are lots of people out here thinking of you and your family, and wishing you all well.

--Gentlemadness

I am sorry for your loss. Team Rockwood has surely been blessed by the "geekiness" imparted to you by your father. We lost my wife's parents recently...her father in late October, and then her mother in early February. We share your feelings of remorse.

You'll hear people tell you to remember the good times, which is important...but remember the bad times as well. Adversity makes us stronger, and tough times often bring people closer. My mother and I became much closer when she was fighting cancer (a battle she would lose) than we did the years when she was just going through the motions of life.

I'm sure I don't have to say this, but don't get lost in your grief and forget to support your mom. She has lost the man she married, the father of her children, confidant...and she will probably feel very alone. Give her breathing space when she needs it, but don't let her feel unloved or unneeded...stay as close as you can.

Again, you have my deepest sympathy for your loss. I wish you and your family a speedy recovery from this trial.

--Bad Panda

I was saddened to hear about your loss. I can empathize as I lost my mother to a ruptured cerebral aneurysm (talk about sudden) at the also all too young age of 54.

Keep your spirit up,

--DH

Please accept my sincerest condolences at the death of your father. You're right, 59 is way too young. Take some time and hug your mom. We'll all be here when you can get back.

--Chris

I found out from Kari H. of your dad's passing...*hugs*...what can I say, except I'm so sorry for your loss. You're a good son, to share your memory of him with us.

And I'd like to echo something that Bad Panda said (note: you will probably never see that sentence anywhere else). Although Dad's cancer was certainly not a good thing, I can think of at least one positive thing that came out of it.

We all tend to take people who are close to us for granted (don't feel guilty...it's normal), as if they will always be there. Dad's announcement way back in 1999 that he had cancer was a sharp wake-up call in that department. But it gave me the chance to really appreciate all of the time I spent with him after that moment, knowing that this might really be our last Christmas, or last fishing trip, or last whatever.

Knowing people whose parents died suddenly (like DH's did), I counted myself extremely lucky for all of the opportunities I got to spend time with Dad, even if it was something as simple as watching TV together. When he made it past three years, I celebrated (silently, of course--doing it out loud would be like talking about a no-hitter) because he'd made it past the average. When he made it to five years, I celebrated again, knowing that now he was in the top third.

I wish I could have seen Dad one more time before he died. But even if I would have seen him an hour before then, I would have had the same wish. The truth is, we'd all want just one more chance to talk to our fathers, no matter how recently we'd seen them, to let them know just how much we appreciated them. The one positive thing I can say about Dad's cancer is that I had five-and-a-half years of those chances, and I took advantage of every single one of them.