Those who loved Dad, know what a
remarkable man that he was. He was kind, sweet, patient and
forgiving. He lead his children and his grandchildren by his own
example. For those of us left behind, it is a very sad time. His
has been on a journey 12 years in the making. He had a horrible
disease that robbed him of so much, even his ability to communicate
with words. In spite of the challenges he never lost his sense of
humor, his love of life and his love of God, Country family and
friends. .
Once the words became few and far between, his smile and gestures got us by. There was never a time that his Grandchildren couldn't figure out how to entertain and to communicate with him. They snuggled up to watch a movie, and they used Papa as an excuse to get a little extra ice cream when he was in their company. The older kids would laugh happily as they watched one of his favorite shows, Last Man Standing while the littles could always be counted on to cuddle up with him to watch a western, Disney Movie or even a little Esther Williams.
Once the words became few and far between, his smile and gestures got us by. There was never a time that his Grandchildren couldn't figure out how to entertain and to communicate with him. They snuggled up to watch a movie, and they used Papa as an excuse to get a little extra ice cream when he was in their company. The older kids would laugh happily as they watched one of his favorite shows, Last Man Standing while the littles could always be counted on to cuddle up with him to watch a western, Disney Movie or even a little Esther Williams.
Papa, loved our Lab, Gracie. And
Gracie loved him. When he would come to visit, she would guard him
attentively. When Luna, our Husky joined the family, right before
Christmas, the 2 of them would make sure that he was never left
alone. We could always make him laugh at the animal stories or the
stories of the kids. We called him the dog whisperer. His humor and
his good nature always showed through.
He lived by the golden rule. He
treated everyone with fairness and dignity. It didn't matter to him,
what his kids did in life, as long as they were happy. He and Mom
made sure that we had all of the love and support that we needed to
go out on our own. They also felt blessed to have Kim and Ralph join
the family.
Through the years, I can recall
numerous political conversations (our votes would cancel each other
out, but whose counting). We invented those debates to get each other
all worked up, but they always ended amicably. I can recall many
times over the years, that I would come to Dad for advice, and he
would always let me talk through it; and then would ask me to get a
piece of paper, write down the pros and the cons, and that paper
would always help me to decide. I still use that advice and give it
to others even today.
Dad was a wise man. He balanced fun
with a sense of responsibility. His smile could light up the room
with those dimples. Emily, his middle granddaughter, shares those
same dimples. We have always told Emily that she got those dimples
when angels kissed her cheeks before she left heaven to become our
daughter. I would like to believe that Papa was welcomed to heaven
and kissed by those same angels that kissed Emily12 years ago.
Dad is our hero. And so is Mom.
Without her selfless time, patience and love, our time with Dad would
have been much shorter. Mom, you gave him a good life and he loved
you to his last breath.
As a past teacher my father would have
loved this quote that many of you may have already read.
“Life is the school. Love is the
lesson.”
You taught us well Dad. You taught us
very well.