It may have been one of the saddest days of my life, but it was also one of the most beautiful things I have ever experienced. It was his time. The fight was over. He was tired. Surrounded by family, we told him how much we loved him. We prayed over him. We told him it was okay to go. With all of our hands on him, we told him we loved him. We watched him take his last breath. We cried together as we said goodbye.
This man was one of the best men I’ve ever known. The best husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, brother, friend, coach, and teacher. He taught me so much about parenting and loving people. He was a one of a kind, broke the mold kinda guy.
It’s been almost 6 years, and he is missed every day.
I don’t want to remember the sadness of losing him. I want to remember that every time my car went into the shop, he always volunteered to meet me there and take me to work, showing up with a donut for the ride. I want to remember how he showed up at every baseball game for my boys. I want to remember how he always had a joke to tell people. I want to remember a man who went to the donut shop every morning to have a cup of coffee with friends so they could laugh and solve all the world’s problems. I want to remember the man who always had a cooler packed at the football games so everyone had a drink and snack for the ride home. I want to remember the man whose hugs made you feel safe. I want to remember his laugh and how he made every person he knew, loved, and met feel like the most important person in the world to him.
In a weekend of remembering, remember the good things. Remember people’s laughter. Remember how they made you feel. Remember their sacrifices and remember their joy. Remember the joy they brought you.
For a little laugh, I leave you with a joke he would have told you:
* Air used to free at the gas station, now it is $1.50. You know why? Inflation.
I am so glad I got to see him and be a part of his life – for he brought me so much joy.
xoxo, Jane Anne
