Hi Everyone
Not much to say about me today. March 25, 2016 marks a year since my Dad’s siblings lost another brother. Our mom lost her husband, we lost our Dad, our kids lost their Pappy. He was a quiet man but he loved to laugh. I can still remember times when we laughed together until we cried.
Dad was great at fixing things and I think I had that gift passed down from him. He was good at a lot and knew a lot.
At the end Dad suffered such great pain that I was Ok… even anxious for him to pass on… but ONLY so he could escape the pain. It is utter helplessness to watch a loved one suffer and be right there yet powerless to do anything about it. I don’t “do” helpless very well.
This is one of my favorite pictures of Dad. We miss you buddy.
The reason I say another brother is because on March 22 last year my Uncle Ronnie passed away. I remember it well, it was a Sunday morning and I got a text from cousin Mike.
Uncle Ronnie was an amazing man. He lost a hand early in his life in a farming accident but he still did things that many men with both hands couldn’t do. He was an expert hunter and took me hunting lots of times as a boy. I have always been very close to Ronnie and Mildred.
Uncle Ronnie was also sorely missed by many; his service was on Wednesday morning just a few hours after our Dad passed away. We made the trip to Bedford for the service; it was a blustery, rainy day befitting of an activity like a funeral service. It was a tough week for the family overall. Dad’s service was held Tuesday March 31st.
It amazed yet bothered me that for a few months, every now and then I’d pick up the phone to call Dad and then as I started to dial…I remembered. It is hard to break old habits. I was sure I hadn’t called him enough. Dad and I had a weird thing on the phone where neither of us would cut off the conversation even though the “dead air” as nobody spoke was uncomfortable at times. I need to keep better track of Mom too but I will say “If you still have your parents, CALL THEM, keep in touch; no guarantee how long you’ll have them. For that matter call your kids too if they don’t live with you any more. The people in your life are the most important part.”
We miss you both; you may be gone from this life but never forgotten; and we will be together again one day.
With retirement early I have been blessed to have more time with family. My dad too is reaching his way to heaven for the last few months. Every other month I fly to Florida to visit as I know soon I will only have the memories. Glad to hear your doing ok. Happy Easter to all.
I miss them both very much. We stopped to visit Ronnie quite often. I miss seeing him on the porch. He loved being outside. I still miss your Dad’s calls every Sunday morning at 10:00 and I know what you mean by “dead air”. I think about them every day.