My Dad

My dad passed away yesterday morning. 

He had a very tough winter, in which he endured the discovery of Type II Diabetes in November, and colon cancer in January. While both were being treated, fairly successfully, he also ended up in the hospital two more times with infections. This last time he went to the hospital, we're still not quite sure what was wrong. It's really hard to know that he is gone, but it was also difficult to see him suffer through his ailments over the last half year.

I'm so grateful for all the help and support he gave to me throughout my entire life. But, I have never been more grateful for my dad than during the past two years. I knew my mom would step up to the plate and be an amazing grandma. And she is! My dad also hit a home run grand slam in that field. Every single time he came over to our house, he did our dishes. I have to admit that I sometimes fell behind in getting the dishes done when Eric was out of town, because I knew my dad would take care of it. Whenever I would call my parents to see if one of them could come over to watch the boys so I could run an errand, I think he was practically out the door before I had even finished my request.

He and my mom took care of the boys when Eric was out of town and I was at school. My dad took the early shift, which meant he arrived around 6 a.m. as I was nursing the boys before I took off for school. When I left for school the first day after maternity leave, it was my dad who I left the boys with. He was on the floor with them and doing a great job entertaining two, squirmy, 4-month olds as I dashed out the door. I did shed a tear or two, but knowing my parents were taking care of the boys made the transition back to school a lot easier to manage.

My wonderful, sister-in-law Kelsey re-shared one of my dad's Mother's Day blog entries with me and my mom today. I too had read it this morning in bed, when I found myself wide awake. I'm glad I have my dad's blog to read: 

SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010

Today is MOTHER'S DAY. For our daughter who has 16 day old twins, it's her first time with that title. With twins it two times the satisfaction but three times the work. Somehow they are always out of sync. As their father says-they cry in surround sound.
It's also a special day for grandmothers. A good grandmother is required to tote a digital camera with "only" the last hundred or so pictures of the grandkids to show to other mothers and grandmothers. Great-grandmothers are exempted from digital camera carrying but require ten or more prints for show and tell.
What does the mother of newborn twins probably need for Mother's Day-how about 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. 
Anyway, Happy Mother's Day to all of you. Where would we be without you?

POSTED BY OL SLOW POKE AT 8:20 AM 0 COMMENTS

I'm sure I'll have more pictures and stories to share. For today, I have some from our wedding in June, 2006.

  

My dad surprised Eric with a dowry, which consisted of a herd of (plastic) farm animals:

 

I knew my dad would be a good sport, so I chose a Beach Boys' song for our father-daughter dance. (Fun, Fun, Fun, [til her daddy takes the t-bird away]. The Beach Boys' was one of his favorite groups.) Except, when the music started, some other (very lovely) song started playing. I hadn't told my dad that I was going to surprise him with the Beach Boys' tune, so I just went with it, as us teachers quickly learn to do.

However, our DJ (a former student of mine) knew how to correctly pull off a surprise. The slow music suddenly stopped and the Beach Boys came on. It was perfect and my dad didn't miss a beat.

I love you and miss you dearly, Dad!