I don't have many experiences to share but I remember this one very well.
It was a few years ago now. I was on my early twenties, still living with my parents. I'm pretty sure I was asleep. I was in bed, I was lying on my back but it felt like someone was lying underneath me with their arms wrapped around me tight not letting me go. And I remember struggling to get out of it and looking up at my ceiling seeing black shadows flying around in a circle. I was aware of my surroundings completely, it was as if they were mocking me.
I felt totally trapped but after what felt like forever trying to break free, my head jickered off the pillow after I shouted let me go. It was like I forced myself out of a dream but I could still vaguely see the shadows spinning around the ceiling.
The weird thing about it was that the thing that was holding me down felt to me like a previous boyfriend. And no, it wasn't me missing him as we only went out for about 2 weeks (I wasn't really into boyfriends until later in life).
I've had a couple of experiences like this which I have thought I have forced myself awake from dreams but after readings stories on this site I'm not so sure they're just dreams. Like what happened last night. I was asleep but not for very long. I know this because the movie I fell asleep to was only halfway through.
I got this feeling someone was touching my bum. I was trying to move away to get the feeling to stop but I couldn't move... And as I said in a post I had no idea whether my eyes where open or not but it felt very real and I seen a lump shape under my covers. I was trying to shout out Jesus's name as I have read that will help but my mouth wouldn't move. I kept trying to say it in my head but it was like I was tongue-tied.
Eventually I managed to move my elbow and got the right words out. I didn't really feel scared though, I felt more annoyed... I would really like to know if this was a dream or if it had more to it.
Sorry to hear about your dad and I hope you can feel him with a happier pressence