Remembering My Dad

It has been two years this month since my Dad passed away. I just wanted to remember him. I was so blessed to have the sweetest, kindest, greatest dad!!!! When my Dad died I was 7 1/2 months pregnant with Gunnar. At his funeral, people got up and shared memories about him. I decided not to get up because I was soooo emotional. I regret that now. So this is my way of sharing my memory of him. I was the seventh child and my dad was 46 when I was born. Some of my older sibling tell me that I missed really great parts of his life. He was a really good athlete. He played football and was on track. When he was a little older and married he played a lot of tennis. I don't ever remember seeing him play any sports. I remember him watching a lot of sports on t.v. :) But, I think that I was really lucky to be born the seventh child and him being a little older. He lost his job when I was in 7th grade. He had worked for ROP a printing company for 35 years and they let him go. He was almost 60 when it happened and couldn't find another job. So with his severance he bought a frozen yogurt store. That was really fun. We only had it for a couple of years. It was during the bad recession of the late 80s early 90s, so it didn't do well and he ended up closing down. After that he didn't work. So I had a lot of time with him. I remember he woke me up for seminary every morning. He made me breakfast before I left. He would make me anything I wanted. Pancakes, bacon, eggs, or just cereal. Until I got my license mid sophmore year he picked me up from school. I had swim practice after school, he would come early and watch me practice. He would be the only parent there watching practice. He would come and put a bottle of water at the end of my lane so that I'd have something to drink while I was swimming. He would keep records of my times and give me tips on flip turns and my strokes. He always packed me and sandwich and would bring it so I'd have a snack for our drive home. He rarely told me no, to anything. He would give me his last $5 if I asked. He was really funny. Very laid back. He told it like it was whether you liked it or not. He was sooo quick to smile. He had charm and self confidence. He always held my moms hand. The last two years of his life he spent in a nursing home. He had a stroke and lost most of the use of his left side so my mom just couldn't care for him at home any more. He had such a great attitude. I know it was hard for him to be there. I know he was lonely and sad. Sometimes he would ask if we would bring him home. But, even there in the home he was funny and happy. He never complained. Joe and I took my three kids then to see him on a Thursday. He was really aware and funny with my kids. They sat on his bed and gave him tons of hugs and kisses. He teased Joe and told him he wanted him to take him fishing. He made fun of my big belly and was excited about my baby number 4 on his way. It was such a nice visit. That Saturday not even 48 hours later his nurse called me and told me that she had gone to check on him and that he was non-responsive. I was at Motherhood at the cash registering paying for some maternity clothes. I didn't understand at first. "What does non-responsive mean?" As it came out of my mouth it hit me and I softly began to cry. She told me she needed to know where we wanted to take him. I told her I'd have to call her right back. I was in the middle of writing a check. I struggled to finish it and sign it and the woman at the cash register just smiled at me not knowing what to say I think. I took my bag and walked out of the store. There it was. It was a total shock. His doctors had told us he was slowly declining, but something you're never quite prepared for. I am thankful to my dad for his goodness. There is no doubt in my mind that he is doing the lord's work. I feel him near often. I miss him more than I can express, and I wish that my kids had more time with him. But I am soooo grateful that he was my dad. I'm grateful for his love and sacrifice for me and our family. I'm grateful to be sealed to him and I know that I will see him again someday. I love you Daddy!