To all the Silvers... just want to add my condolences this morning. I went through this years ago, also, with both parents, but my father first. There isn't a much harder thing to experience. Looking back, I realize there came a time several months down the road where I could look back on him, and remember the way he WAS when he was in his prime -- the navy chief, the strong father (feared by all the boys who came by the house), and the softy on the inside that he could be. It took so long to rid my mind of the person in the hospital bed that really wasn't him. It sounds to me reading your post that you may already be part way there -- that is my hope for you and your family. That your memories are soon all joyful and make you smile, not sad. My thoughts are with you all.
Jes