The kids and I were blessed to have spent a nice day with Papa just a week and a half before he passed away. He had been planning on coming down to watch Makenna and Kellen in there soccer game. Makenna's broken arm made it so she had to stay home and rest, but he came down and went with Carys, Conner, Kellen and I to watch Kellen's game. Kellen was so excited to have him there and Dad was so proud watching his grandson hustle up and down the field. He held Conner on his shoulders while they cheered Kellen on. After the game he had to run to his nephews house but then wanted to come back over so he could also have some time with Makenna since she had had to stay behind. So he came over and the kids played a few card games. He played in the backyard with the boys for a bit and stayed over for dinner.
While he and the kids were playing cards and having fun, I had this thought to grab his camera and take a few pictures. Soooo glad I followed that prompting and did it. These are the very last pictures I have of my kiddos with their Papa.
He was certainly someone that stayed young at heart up until the very end. I hope to always remember his amazing example and remember to stop and PLAY with my kids, to get down on their level and really Be in the moment with them and soak up every minute of it. That is what he did each and every time.
Dad's funeral service was on June 4th. We had a beautiful, heart felt service at the church in murrieta. After the service we had a graveside service at the cemetery. It was a touching service. They folded and presented the flag and gave him a 21 gun salute and played taps.
We had decided not to bring the kids to the funeral service. We were worried that the sadness and tears at the service would be difficult for the kids to see and know how to understand. But we wanted them to be part of it somehow and have the chance to say their own goodbyes. So once they had placed his casket in the ground we went back with the kids and let each of them take a turn saying something that they will remember about Papa and leave him a flower. It was a very sweet, very touching, very special moment.
About 6 weeks later the headstone was placed at his grave. I had been feeling anxious and eager for the headstone to be there. But then for some reason the first time I saw it there, with his name and birthday written on it...it hit me harder than I was expecting. It made it feel even more real. More final. A visual of your fathers name written on a headstone....just not something I was fully prepared for. It is going to be hard for awhile, as more and more things happen that make the loss feel more real and final. We love you and miss you dad.
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