From Reddit, /u/jforrest1980 posted:
My dad Postie (Left) - with his brother Timmy in the early 80's. Straight up pimping. Raised me, a white son as his own from the day I was born. My mom said "I don't know who the dad is", and he replied "he's my boy now". Absolute Legend!
This is great advice, coming from someone who pondered using the "Mother was really sick and had to manage her illness and passing" excuse if I ever went back, as it was true for me too. (I'm sorry for your loss, it's a really painful life transition, I know.)
I ended up taking a slightly different approach. I worked in IT project management before I retired early. My LinkedIn resume shows me currently employed as an "IT consultant" and will until I decide I need another job or I kick it.