Candy,

I think that the picture could be viewed in a few different ways...

As the daughter of a 23 year marine who served two terms in Nam, I'm very proud of his service and have pictures of him, letters that he'd written to mother while there, etc. I don't know, I think it could be viewed by me as major survival and he was meant to survive...if he weren't so ill (he's losing his battle with cancer).

However, with his death so near, I would think now a picture like that would majorly bother me. It's not a testament to his survival anymore, because he's not surviving. does that make any kind of sense?

I agree with you. If your father were alive and it was something he wanted given to you, it would make a huge good statement. However, since he's passed and you're still dealing with that, I find it inappropriate. Maybe some day you'll look at it differently? I agree with your not finding comfort in that pic.

for instance, after my MIL passed, her best friend gave my hubby a picture of her when she was ill. it disturbed him so much! he gave it to me to put away and hasn't looked at it since...and it's been almost 3 yrs.

((((((((((((((( candy ))))))))))))))))

take care,

kd