Sorry I've been away for so long.My dear sweet father-in-law passed last Wednesday at 12:50 pm. I feel compelled to write a tribute to him but must confess that I'm really having a hard time doing that. What can I say about this dear sweet man to help you understand how special he was?
He was a big burly man, strong as an ox with a size 20 ring finger and wearing EEEEE width shoes. I think I've told the story before about how he used to get his beers paid for by betting that he could bend a quarter with his fingers.. a true story and Dad won lots and lots of beers on this bet. But he was gentle of heart and specially caring for the ones he loved.
Although he could never bring himself to come out and tell you that he loved you, he was very free with his gestures of love. I witnessed him holding Mom's hand so gently, like he was afraid he'd break it. I've seen him cup his son's face in those huge hands when both of them were suffering from the physical as well as emotional pain of the situation. I saw him shed tears of sorrow over the rift between him and his daughters. And I'll never forget the pats on the head, and squeezes of the hand and the phone call checks when I'd finally leave late at night and head home to take care of our animals and house.
For the last 3 weeks of his life, I stayed 24/7 at Dad's house to help my hubby take care of him and mom. I saw the glint in eyes fade away, I saw how the cancer and his daughters robbed his body and his spirit away from him, I saw how his main concern was mom and that she would be taken care of. I saw him so painfully and slowly give up and decide that it was too hard to continue.
I was fortunate to be with him when he passed. I rubbed his head and gave him a kiss and a squeeze of the hand and his nurse rubbed his head and he ended his journey. So peaceful, so quite, just like the dear sweet man that he was.
We love you and miss you terribly Dad! Thank you so much for being there, for teaching us those ever important life lessons, for supporting everything that we did, for loving us and most importantly for just being our dad and a grandfather to our children and a Greatpapa to Jordan and Kaiden. We all love you and miss you terribly.
Have a great week, plumb full of smiles!
Peggy
What an amazing tribute to a wonderful man. Your love shines through this post, and I know he's looking down from heaven, thanking your for helping him through this difficult journey. My heart is with you sis! I love you and wish I could be there. Hang tight to Larry and keep each other strong.
ReplyDeletelove and hugs
Oh Peggy! You have truly honored a very sweet man with this post. I feel the pain you are dealing with and I am so very sorry you have to go through it all! HUGS girlie!
ReplyDeleteYou brought tears to my eyes with your beautifully written tribute to a man well loved by you. I am so very sorry for your loss and know that he is looking upon you with great love!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear of your loss, Peggy. Your father-in-law sounds like a magnificent human being who will be sorely missed by those who loved him.
ReplyDeleteOh Peggy! I'm so very sorry for your loss. This is such a loving tribute to a man who most surely will be missed. Big hugs! xxxxD
ReplyDeletePeggy,
ReplyDeleteSo very sorry to hear of your loss. What a blessing to take care of him to the end. It is a testimony to your love and gratitude for all he meant to you. God bless you and yours! ~Barb
Peggy, My heartfelt sympathy for your family's lost. I know the feeling as I lost my father to that dreaded disease also. What a beautiful tribute to your FIL. Stay strong my friend, and yes he is with the angels now!
ReplyDeleteHugz, xx
~L~
So sorry to hear of your loss!!!! These pictures are a treasure!!!! What a beautiful tribute to your father!!!!
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