Holli Gray

I lost my Dad in October of 2025 to a stroke. When he woke up with a headache and nausea I can’t help but wonder if he knew he was going to die.  The doctors say he died in the ambulance twice and although they revived him; the paddles ultimately rerouted a clot to to the brain where there was inoperable and incurable damage. 

It was sudden but looking back somehow felt like we had months of warning signs. But I knew nothing about heart attacks or strokes. 

My Dad was one of my bestfriends. A huge support of mine.  He was a tough man with a sense of humour for lucky but selected few. He had a rough and tough exterior but somehow always had a pocket of empathy set aside for me. 

His true calling was being a Papa and I’m so grateful for the two years he had with my daughter. Although I will always wish it were more. 

My Husband, daughter , dog and myself spent almost every weekend at his house in the summer and never missed seeing him on a holiday and talking on the phone multiple times a week. We spent a lot of time watching the sun come up with coffee and tea or watching the sun set over a bonfire and country music. I miss seeing his goofy picture pop up on my phone when he calls, seeing his name be the first to like or comment on my Facebook status and him giving me no notice before showing up to my door in the middle of his work day. 

I visit his grave almost daily, I fought for him as I always will and now I’m walking with the Heart & Stroke foundation to raise awareness regarding heart health and how fast it can take a loved one. Just like it did my Dad. 

I can beat myself up everyday for not saving him. Or I can help prevent another parent from leaving us to soon. 

Every step he will walk with me , and although I’ll be wearing sneakers & he’ll be wearing wings we are doing this together. 

To my Dad  

And all the other victims of stroke. ❤️‍🩹