With Each Passing

This has been on my mind for a while and I think it is appropriate that I finally have the time to write this. It is Father's Day and my dad has been gone for 2 1/2 years. Of course, I think of him often and know I was so blessed to have had him as my father...from strong grumpy young dad to older loving kinder dad (something happens to them when they become grandfathers).

There is a time that really brings him to my mind.

Each time I hear of someone's loved one passing

I relive the last moments with my dad.

Dad choose to go off dialysis after 10 years.
He had fought a long and hard battle against diabetes
with Mom at his side.
We would ask him each day if he was sure of his decision

and

 He Was Sure.

He knew where he was going.

And said he would hold the gates open for us when we join him.

For one week we had a party at the house.

Family and friends came from all over

to share their stories for the last time with him

and to tell him they loved him.

For me it was an amazing time.

He had peace..he had strength.

Each day he would say

"I hope this is the day the Lord takes me home.

I am ready"

How amazing to be that sure.

I guess there is "Blessed Assurance"

I saw it in my dad.

My dad passed as we layed him back down one morning, 

a few more breaths and he was gone.

He saw the face of Jesus at 7:30 am.

It is what we had prayed for.

Now...when I hear others tell

how they watched their loved ones die...

gasping, crying for help, bodies wracked with pain,

or even peacefully,

I relive that time with my dad.

And I am grateful

that the memories I have been left with are good.

We got to say goodbye.

We got to say I love you.

We got to be by his side

as he passed from this life to glory.

So every time someone elses loved one passes

My mind takes me back to

 relive those last moments with my dad.

And

 I know

We Were Blessed.

In Memory and In Honor

Today we honored the life of my uncle
 Ross Sowers.

My Dad's brother

He was invloved with Live Steamers.

(Small Trains.)

The last song for his service was

Life is Like a Mountain Railway (click to hear)

Perfect song for him.

And just as the song ended

A train in the distance could be

heard blowing its whistle as it came into Lincoln.

A sign that brought smiles and giggles

to loved ones sitting there.

Perfect timing..perfect ending.

Love sent from above.

We came back to Decatur

And the family gathered around

to honor the second one to have passed.

Roses were handed to the loved ones there.

And a thought was mentioned

to honor the oldest brother

who had passed 2 years 2 months before.

And with that thought,

a quick trip was made

to place a rose

upon the others grave.

It was hardly a surprise to me

as we drove into the cemetary 

 to see before us

a red tail hawk

circling against the blue sky.

Perfect timing...perfect ending.

Love sent from above.

(My sign for Dad is the red tail hawk)

I Remember When.....

For years I had thought of writing a few of my favorite memories in a card to give to Mom and Dad. I wanted to let them know that simple times held the best memories for me.

I decided to involve the whole family with a perfect gift for Mom and Dad that came from this idea.

I found an unusual jar and labeled it Memories, Smiles and Treasures. I sent several slips of paper to each family member with instructions to write "I remember..." moments with Marv and Evelyn and sign their name to each slip. Some wrote out a lot of memory slips, others wrote out one of two.

Both of my parents birthdays are in July so we picked a day in between and set it up for a family get together. I gave them the empty jar and told them they needed to fill it with special memories. Mom and Dad took a few moments thinking of what in the world they could put into this jar. Then I told them we would help them fill it. Each one of us put our "I remember" slips in the jar. We had nearly 200 memory slips!

That day a few slips were pulled out and read. There were smiles and laughter. There was astonishment at events that were remembered. There were tears as love was recognized. Memories read brought renewed memories for others or a new memory to be wrote out and shared later on. Everyone enjoyed this time of sharing  memories of Marv and Evelyn...
                              of Mom and Dad....
                                     of Grandma and Grandpa.

 Mom and Dad were instructed to take a couple of "I remember" slips out to read every day. It took them 3 months to go through the jar. And then they started all over again. Sometimes they would come across a new memory that someone had secretly added. It was a continuing joy.

When Kayla was 2 she joined us in this tradition.

Every Wednesday when she was at "Sowers" and Grandma's she would pass out the I remember when's. Everyone would read one and then Kayla in her sweet little girl voice would read hers...."I remember all the time" (Ah..I can hear her sweet voice now)

Some of our memories:
Marvin (son)" I remember... Dad coming back from Florida with oranges and teaching everyone a dance called the Twist."

Sheryl (daughter) "I remember...all the stars at Tall Tree Lake where we camped. I'm so glad Mom and Dad took me there."

Stephen (grandson)" I remember...Grandpa and Grandma's last jeep. I hated to see it sold. I remember Grandpa saying we would have visitation rights."

Cindy (granddaughter)" I remember...my first plane ride. Mom and I went up in a small plane with Grandpa. We got to see our house and all around Decatur."

Keri (granddaughter)" I remember...going to the state fair every year with Grandma and Grandpa. We got to ride the Skyline and spend $5."

Crisite (granddaughter) "I remember....that I love my grandparents so much and I always will."

With the grandkids there was one memory that they each wrote.

"I remember...Grandpa taking us to the donut shop. After we ate our donut we could buy a piece of bubble gum. Sometimes Grandpa would buy a donut to take home to Grandma. But when we would get home we would sneak downstairs and eat her donut. "

It truly was a gift that kept on giving

for years and years.

A wonderful gift of memories.

I'd Wish I Could (1985)

When I was 5 I got bit by my dog.

Dad tried to make me feel all better.

I'd wish I could but

I didn't tell him then.

When I was 7 Dad took us to

Tall Tree Lake to camp.

I'd wish I could but

I didn't tell him then.

When I was 13 I heard Dad get up in

the middle of the night for a drink.

I'd wish I could but

I didn't tell him then.

When I was 16 I watched as Dad

protected us from unknown noises.

I'd wish I could but

I didn't tell him then.

When I was 18 Dad walked me down

the isle of the church to be married.

I'd wish I could but

I didn't tell him then.

When I was 20 I had a beautiful

baby girl to show my Dad.

I wished I could and

Then I did...

Tell him..

"I LOVE YOU"

Now I am older and so is he

and I'm so glad I can't say

"I wish I had told Dad"

Because I did tell him and

I tell him again today,

"I love you, Dad."