My father died 8 years ago. How can I stop the thought of "He's dead" or "he's gone forever" from randomly popping up in my head. Or if I can't, how can I deal with it?

Losing a loved one, especially a parent, can be a profound and long-lasting loss. It's normal for thoughts about the person to come up unexpectedly and it can be difficult to move past the pain. However, there are some strategies that can help: Allow yourself to feel your feelings: It's okay to grieve and feel sad, angry, or whatever other emotions come up. Try not to suppress or ignore these feelings, but instead, acknowledge them and give yourself permission to feel them. Create a memorial: This can be anything that honors your father's memory, like a special photo album or a memorial at a place that holds meaning to you. Stay connected to your father through memories: Share stories about him with friends and family, or write about your memories in a journal. Seek support: Talking to friends and family, or a mental health professional, can be helpful. Support groups for those who have lost a loved one can also be a source of comfort. Practice self-care: Make time for activities that bring you joy and peace, such as exercise, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones. Remember, grieving is a process, and it can take time to work through the feelings. Be kind to yourself and seek help when you need it.

Death of a loved one can be really hard to deal with and we can never completely wrap our mind around the fact that the person is gone or no longer with us. I'm so sorry for your loss and sorry that you are struggling so much. Random realisation can hit hard and can be a lot to deal with, the best way I guess is it deal with it the way you want. Cry if you want, scream, talk to someone when it gets too much. Just know that there's no time limit on grief. Let yourself heal the way you want.

When a loved one passes, it is a unique experience for each person. It has its own ebbs and flows from remembering happy moments to unresolved thinking. Ultimately, to honor the loved one is to honor ourselves. Realizing what we can handle and what we are willing to letting go or placing closure upon the loved one's life. Is there a one size answer? Its just not possible and that's what makes each life unique and purposeful. we are all here, doing the best we can, myself included. I have had loved ones die and I too have expereinced a range of feeling and emotions that eventually resolve or dissolve. Sometimes, there are no easy answers, that's very common in life. Sometimes, the answer about a loved one comes in a dream or in calm reflection. Seeking resolution with thoughts about those who have died is courageous. If anything, having patience and kindness with ourselves. Giving ourselves an opportunity to accept a momentary limitation, while awaiting an insight that is sure to come along.