my father just passed away on July 2, 2006. Lets just say, it was completely unexpected. Now here I am, a teen in college, left to understand the questions that need to be solved but probably won't ever get the answer to. I'm hoping by this posting, to find strength in another teen who has experienced the same thing, and advice on how they got through the grieving process when you are in the "macho tough" phase of your life.

thanks in advance

First, let me extend my sympathies to you and your family. I, too, lost my dad quite unexpectedly and it is tough, very tough actually. As with Malakaya, I am not a teen, and I completely agree with what was said. Let yourself go through all the stages of grief. Holding things in will make it worse down the line. I agree that writing in a journal is therapuetic. I began writing in a journal daily and it's interesting to go back and see how far I've come (although many times I feel like I'm still as sad as day one). Have you thought about going for counseling and/or group therapy? I remember wanting to find people who went through the exact same experience as I and with those who had a very close relationship with their parent. Unfortunately, I have not yet found a group, but I have been going for individual counseling. Please keep checking this forum. People here do really care...

I don't know how you feel about how you lost your dad, but I am at peace with how my dad went (doing what he loved to do, no pain, didn't know what hit him). If you lost your dad this way, maybe it will bring you some comfort?