Losing someone you love is never easy no matter if you're young or older. Think positive thoughts. He will soon be without pain or suffering.
Don't dwell on the fact he's dying but don't avoid it either. You might cheerfully say," hope you're feeling ok today" or tell him about happy things going on with you. Always try to boost his spirits and remember any good times you had with him.
We spent a lot of time hovering over my mom who passed away near Christmas. One day I said,"Do you need me to do anything for you right now?" She told us all," I love all of you but I'm ready to go so be happy for me and let me go".
She died with a smile on her face 4 hours later. God Bless you and your family.
For his sake, follow your Mothers advice. Try to talk as you normally would. If there is something you remember about him, you might remind him of that memory.
I know I would like to know I touched someone in a special way & they would remember me & we could say "Do you remember when? If you weren't real close and you don't think you will feel bad after he is gone, then no one should force you to talk, if you are real uncomfortable about it. I know my Mom pressured me about things that meant more to her, then me.
I was made to feel guilty if I didn't comply, even as an adult. That's not right. I loved my Mom to death but I did allow her to make many of my choices against my wishes.
Had much therapy about that very thing & others after my Mothers death. -- RIP Precious Mother.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.