[andy east sussex]

sadly my father passed away a week today after a long battle. never knew how much of a big part he was in my business really struggling to keep mind in business not sure if doing it anymore is good idea ive lost the spark how has everyone else deault with it if u had to just pick my self up and carry on?

[John Kelly]

Andy, sorry to hear about your loss. It will be a hard time for you but you need to try and focus and think of the future. Don't know your business but I imagine a lot of effort and time has gone into it and it would be a shame just to let that go.
Work can actually be a good antidote and help take your mind off things. Good luck.

[Richard Cole]

Sorry to hear of your loss Andy. Are you able to take a short break whilst you come to terms with your loss, I'm sure if you ring your customers and explain the situation most of them would be happy to re-schedule their appointments to suit you.

Not sure how long you have been going but like most of us you have probably put a lot of time an effort into building your business and it would be a shame to let all that go to waste. Life goes on and you will still need to earn a living, so look at the alternatives first before making any rash decisions.

If you can take a short break to collect your thoughts and come back with a fresh outlook.

All the best

Richard

[Simon@arenaclean]

I lost a very close uncle, you have not lost the spark, it's grief which is a horrible state to be in I found working even harder focused my mind and it did not really matter what I did as long as I was invloved. Distraction is good but I also discovered that taking a few mins to reflect on the positive effect he had on my life actually cheered me. It's sounds harsh but I found it very easy to feel sorry for myself and it was my wife who shook me by telling me I was being selfish keeping everything to myself and that my uncle would kick me up the bum if he could see me. She also told me sharing would help, and she was right.

Keep going, focus and find someone to share positive memories with. I think of him daily and I always have a chuckle and it's a great place to be.

Good luck

[Doug Holloway]

Andy

My sympathies on your deep loss.

Try to think what your father would have wanted, he will still be an influence through what he stood for and how he would have dealt with things.

I still think how my dad would have thought when we have things, like my daughters wedding last week, he was there in spirit.

Good luck

Doug

[Andrew Briscoe]

Andy
Sorry for your loss, we too lost my wifes father a week gone thurs, I wont get back to work properly till wednesday, so nearly 2 weeks work lost.
Luckily we are quite well established, so feel for you.
Chin up

Andrew

[garry22]

Andy, I lost my Dad suddenly about this time last year.

Each person reacts differently and this is only my personal opinion.

Looking back I realise that I was almost certainly in shock for quite a while. You will have enough to do without making important business decisions ( I kept asking myself "what is the point?" etc).

Just acknowledge that as John said, you are going through a grieving process that WILL affect the way you see most things. It does get easier with time and you may find that spending time with customers (i.e. people not directly involved with your loss) helps a lot.

Don't make any decisions until you know for sure that you are functioning properly.

Garry

ps Don't let the banks handle Probate. Some charge up to 4% of the total estate value!!!!!!

[Neil Jones]

Sorry to hear about your loss mate. As others have said i'm sure your dad will want you to carry on and succeed but at the end of the day do what makes you happy, just think, what will my dad have done.

At least give it some time to come to terms with your loss and good luck in the future.

[Phil @ Extreme Clean]

Knuckle down and carry on mate if your dad was a big part of the business then make him proud and carry on knowing he's there always give yourself a bit of grieving time remember all the good times and do yourself and family proud 

[wynne jones]

My mum died last year and I found work the only place where I could focus on something else and get some respite from grief. If you can't work then take time off but don't make any rash decisions whilst you are in your current state. You will go through a range of emotions but give it time and the pain will subside and the fond memories linger.

[james roffey]

Dear Andy

I am so sorry to hear your sad news, my father passed away five years ago and i still miss him like it was yesterday, don't listen to people who say time is a healer it isn't but what i found is you do come to terms with it in your own way and manage to carry on.

My biggest regret is he never lived to see me start my own business  he died knowing i was unhappy in my work,but my own ill health following his death and my father dying gave me the strenght and courage tell my boss to shove it and do what i had been too scared to do before.

With what has happened this week to my family and your sad loss your own post makes me realise even more what really matters, a fitting way to bow out.

My sincere condolences to you and all your family i know you will find the strength to find your own way through this difficult time.

James

[jim mca]

Andy

Sorry to hear of your loss just getting over the same thing my Dad passed away last year everybody deals with things differently
I found getting out working got me going again but its not easy.

Jim

[andy east sussex]

aww thank you so much everyone but as you all say guess im grieving first time ever for me so that's the answer to just knuckle down and carry on as that's what dad would want.
im donating a tv to the intensive care unit in brighton in the next couple of week for the relatives room to help other familys through the difficult times

[Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus)]

Sorry to hear your news Andy. I lost my Dad at Xmas and it hit me hard.
As January is usually quiet, we went to Spain for 10 days, not to forget but just so I wasn't wasn't grieving as well as worrying about work.

Give yourself a break - you need time, work will always be there later.

[bennymon]

As Steve said a break is good my mother passed away last year and at first I couldn't work I just had no interest . A break was good maid me realise I had to stay strong for the rest of the family . The one thing that has changed is I have realised where not here for ever and i will use the money I earn on me and my family doing all the things we want to do .