I am so sorry for your father's diagnosis. My husband lost his battle with ALS Nov. 16, 2008 at 57. He was a marathon runner and triathlete and most importantly an awesome husband and father. He was extremely close to our daughters. His symptoms started about 6 years prior. He chose to keep the diagnosis a secret from everyone, including our daughters, until the end. While most might disagree, in his case, he never wanted anyone to feel sorry for him or spend their time crying or jeopardize his job and benefits. He also knew that our older daughter had a friend in college whose father had ALS and could only blink for 4 years and our daughter was just panicked over the ALS diagnosis. He did not want her to be devastated that way. He wanted to live everyday like "normal" until he couldn't anymore. Fortunately, he was able to maintain a "normal" life, independently, even driving to work, until the last month. He had a fall and hit his head in October and it was like the disease exploded in him. He rapidly declined, especially in the breathing, speaking and swallowing aspect. He refused to go to the hospital and passed away in his sleep on a beautiful Sunday morning. I know that this progress is not typical of others on this forum, it is just our story. My point, I guess, is that my girls, age 23 and 28, were completely crushed (as I) to lose their Daddy. But, and I mean this so sincerely, they are comforted by the fact that God spared him anymore suffering and that he is healed in Heaven. We mourn the "healthy" Dad, not the suffering man that was so proud and independent. We miss him terribly and those times of tears will come when you least expect it. But we, together, laugh at the old "Dad-isms" and fun times we had together. We embrace that who we are as a family is because of him and our love together as a family. My oldest is newly engaged to a man that has so many of the qualities of my husband, I am confident a new generation of children will be blessed by a good Dad. My youngest works for a professional sports team and has supported a friend of one of the players who has ALS as a 30-something with small children. She summed up this disease I think quite well.....ALS sucks, the person didn't do anything to get it and no one survives it, so you must embrace EVERY minute with the person you love... and, in the end, you will find a peace that God took your Dad home and made him whole again. I will keep you and all others on this forum in my prayers