Precious Moments

Well, so much has gone on during the past few weeks it all seems like a blur. But a few things really stand out in my mind right now. Little moments here and there...

About a week before Thanksgiving, I mentioned to my FIL that Thanksgiving was just over a week away. He looked so stressed and said 'oh no'.  He must have known he wasn't going to make it... That is when I started preparing some of his favorite Thanksgiving goodies to serve him through the week.

I remember him sitting on the edge of the bed eating pumpkin pie while my boys sat in chairs at his bedside. He seemed to completely enjoy the company and the pie.

Andi flew home with her baby girl (Miss B). They made it in just hours before he passed away...

One of the most precious moments I remember is when all the kids were standing around grandpa's bed... saying their goodbyes. Andi was standing next to Brandon, she was holding Miss B. Brandon was crying and Miss B reached out her chubby little hand and was patting Brandon on the shoulder, doing what she could to comfort him. I'm amazed at the compassion our tiny little one year old baby shows toward others...

Kevin was on the phone with Chris, filling him in on the details of the funeral. Chris asked who the paul bearers were going to be. Kevin named off our boys and Mitch. After a moments silence Chris, on the verge of tears, asked if he could be honorary. I'm telling ya, it nearly broke my heart to know Chris couldn't be here for his grandpa's funeral. His little family will be here in a few weeks for Christmas... we couldn't really afford to buy a ticket for him to come to the funeral.

We received a call from a family in the church... they offered to use their air miles to purchase airline tickets for Chris and J and baby JD to come home for the funeral. The arrangements were nearly made when they told me what the plan was... I cried. We all cried. Sometimes I feel so very blessed with the best of friends amongst the brethren.... more like family than friends. I thank you... but simple words of thank you don't seem to be enough.

Having our children and grand-children home for the funeral services meant so much to us... just spending time as a family. We went to my FIL's apartment and sat around visiting for a few minutes after the services. It helped bring some closure...

It's been tough, but ya know, he lived a long life... 85 years. He always said he was going to live to be 120 years old. I always believed him. But 85 years is a long... long time.

We have many precious memories from the past couple months... and the past 30 some year that he's been part of my life.