Losing A Parent: Understood

The death of your parent, at any age, is a huge loss. BBC Three spoke to eight people about their experience of bereavement at a young age, and how despite the horror, heartache and absence, there are things they’re still grateful for.

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[peachekisses]

Everyone says it’s going to be okay... but when?! When is it gonna be okay that i don’t have my dad anymore? When is it gonna be okay that I don’t get to see the person I love the most ever again? AT WHAT POINT IS THAT “OKAY”?

[caribbeancurls]

For those who've lost a parent, youre never truly apart from someone when your a part of someone x

[theblackbull]

My dad died three days ago, so now i live alone with my mum, he wasent sick and nobody was expecting it, he died in his sleep. I keep double checking the rooms looking for him, cuse the house feels so empty. Feels like im going insane. I wish nobody would ever need to feel this way, not even my worst enemy.

[BlueMolly]

Lost my dad in 2002, I was 29, he was 58. No matter how old you are, losing a parent hurts. I still think of him.

[nomfundohlongwane]

I lost my mom to cancer yesterday. She was my everything and my life will never be the same again

[melissabuttram]

My mom passed 3 years ago of lung cancer. She was 53 years old and she was my very best friend. I'd give up anything for 1 more hug from her.

[daichisawamura]

I lost my mom in 2012 due to cardiac arrest. I was 14, she was 45. It was so painful and difficult. I felt so lost. 6 years later, I still remember her smell - the smell of moth balls and vanilla lotion, it might not be the most pleasant smell to others but it's the most comforting scent to me because it reminds me of her- her laugh, her 'panggigigil' etc. I miss her so much.

[netterz]

My dad died when i was 20 and i was living with him at the time so when he died i became basically homeless at the same time so it was litterally the worst time in my life.. i was grieving while jumping around moving from place to place trying to find a stable place to live. Horrible. I wouldnt wish what i went threw on my worst enemy. Its been about 9 years and it still isnt easy. All im saying to people is dont ever take your parents for granted cuz one day when they arent around your gonna see NOBODY cares about you the way your parents do and it seems like such a cold world after they are gone.

[teresadenney]

My son is 11 he lost his dad recently he doesn't sleep well he crys at night calls for his dad in his sleep! it's heartbreaking to watch him hurt so much. the grieving process is long hard and painfull

[GaySingleMulatto]

Yes they are physically absent, but spiritually ever present.

[Ashokas_Wheelhouse]

So no ones going to read this but, I have a neighbor in his 30’s. He has an amazing 7 year old little girl, and he just died today. I feel so bad for her because she was so close to her dad. I’m basically her big sister and I wanted to watch this video so I could maybe get a glimpse of what she may go through so I can help in any way I can.
Edit: Thank you for all the nice comments! Good news about her, she is doing well. She is still her happy self but she does still miss him of course. Her dad was in the military and for her b-day a bunch of his military friends showed up and got her a cake.

[annnnelies]

my mom passed away on the age of 46 in 2015. I lost her when I was 17. She had a rare type of cancer and it took her life within less than a year. She was and still is my best friend. Life has been so hard without her, the fact that I’ll live most of my life without her makes me so incredibly sad. I miss her so much

[davidthao]

The day my heart stops acheing is when I lay myself to rest in peace

[sallykim]

Today my dad almost died
He was swimming across a huge river
When suddenly he shouted for help
He's alive tho
Thank God
I felt my whole world fall apart
I'm 14

[Bckymrtn]

My boyfriend lost his mum when she was just 39. He was 21 at the time. She was the only parent in his life and they were very close. She had a heart attack at home after feeling unwell, and despite our best efforts to save her, she died 5 days later. He was made homeless 8 weeks after losing her, and lived in a hotel until the council could assess the situation and offer him a flat of his own.

Its not easy watching someone you love cope with an enormous loss. Its created a lot of stress on both of us, and we are both dealing with depression. However, we stick together through thick and thin, and will be celebrating our 2 year anniversary in October. I wish she could see how much of a strong person he has grown into, i know she would be so proud of him.

[dislikelina]

lost my dad when i was 15 to a murder, i miss and love him so much <3 almost 6 years ago now..

[NourNour-fybg]

I tried my best to act “normal” when my dad passed away. Being away from home and haven’t had seen him in years, plus the troubled relation we had -which I was hoping to resolve one day (death was faster; that day never came), all that put me on the very edge of a breakdown and I didn’t want show any emotions and have to talk about it. I remember walking aimlessly in the streets, then going inside Nordstrom rack store, crying, weeping between racks of clothes. He passed away around Father’s Day which is coming soon. The pain of dealing with this anniversary is agonizing.

[ronjohnson]

I’m scared to talk about death and losing someone. Guys I can’t imagine losing my parents I’m 25 and I feel like I need them more the older I get. You do really appreciate your parents when your older because you realize all the sacrifices they made and how they loved you even when your stupid.. gosh this is hard to watch 😓😓

[AngelicasRecovery]

I lost my mom almost 2 months ago. I’ll never be the same.

[notaton]

i comed herre couse i am scared my dad passed away today i miss him so much allready