Dad

Dear All,
Well, I am still feeling stunned by the loss of my "Dad". He died on Monday the 18th of May; exactly on his "half birthday" Christine reminded me. He was 83 and a half. A year and a half after Mom is way too soon. It makes me feel so empty inside. I have been walking around for days now, hardly knowing what to say. I go to work because that is what he would have done, and while busy with tasks I don't have to think about it. The hospital botched the diagnosis, even with my sister there ( who is a paramedic) telling them what was wrong. We both try always to do our best caring for our patients, so it is hard to wrap our minds around our being helpless to save our own father.
I always told Dad that they broke the mold when they made him; but that if I ever found someone who was like him I would consider remarrying and I meant it. He loved Mom very much and missed her emensely. He was a man ahead of his time, and yet was able to do all the repair stuff, and was a person of integrity and few words. He did not ever talk bad about anyone. He could make me feel fabulous with just a few words, or reprimanded with even less. He made me want to be the best person I could be. My son, Brandon adored him for his patience and intelligence. Kimberly, loved watching our video of him over and over as a child. Christine is so glad she got to know him. They all love quoting him. "What would Grandpa do?" and "Grandpa knew it!" have become common statements at our house. Having lived through the depression he was wiser than the average person, and very cautious as well. Going through his things, we have discovered he was more generous than we knew. Many the loan he gave out...never to be repaid again. We never knew it.
I am comforted by the thought that he has joined his parents, wife, and daughter on the other side...born into eternity. I like to think he and Mom are in charge of some special corner of heaven with lots of wild life and plenty of space to walk. (Dad walked 3-4 miles a day) And plenty of time to be with friends and dance if they feel so inclined. I think my brother, Kelly, said it best at the memorial when he said, "Dad was father to one, and Dad to six". How true! He never made us feel like step children, or foster children. Many of us certainly didn't make it easy on he and Mom. He had a huge heart and I'm so glad to have known him. It is weird not having him to make me feel like I belong somewhere. Thanks for making me feel like I belonged Dad!Thanks for never beating me, or molesting me. Thanks for your patience and your tolerance. Thanks for loving my Mom. Thanks for loving all of us strangers, warts and all. Thanks for being my Dad! Thanks for being Grandpa to my children. Thanks for being there.