Dad had a stroke on Monday.
I guess there’s no other way to start a post like this, just state the fact and let it sit for a minute.
A month ago Cade’s grandma passed away very suddenly and it shook us all. She was so young.
Two weeks later my uncle passed away so, so suddenly. It shook us all.
Almost two weeks to the day Dad suffered a stroke. It shook us all.
I found myself whipping open my phone to look at the picture we took two weeks ago.
Remember? Remember how I’d felt so strongly to go to Idaho? It was a quiet, peaceful feeling to go. Mom’s brother passed and I thought, ahhh that hug, the photo I shared on here, that’s why I had felt to go.
And it was.
But this was too.
Dad and I had the most wonderful visit, hands down the best of my whole life with him.
We spent the week alone with dad while mom was away and we talked, laughed, worked in the garden and just loved each other.
One night dad took us to the falls and we picnicked. I told mom later, it had felt important and left a lasting feeling of love in me and my children.
A moment turned into a memory that would carry on through eternity.
The second I received the news I had the sweetest feeling that I had not wasted a moment, I had taken the time to be together and should anything happen he and I, that giant hearted man and I knew we loved each other.
No regrets.
He’s going to be ok. A long road is ahead, but he can do it and there’s good that can come from this.
He has multiple clots they’ve found on the brain, an arm that hasn’t been working, a sagging face which just got an almost all there smile today, an eye that isn’t working and inability to read, but he’s coming along.
Do you know, it’s actually my dad that my first memory of cooking is with. I vividly remember sitting on the counter and dad teaching me how to make oatmeal raisin chocolate chip cookies.
Two weeks ago I had to run to the store while visiting dad and I came home to the kids making those same cookies with grandpa.
I hadn’t seen him make those cookies since I was living at home.
Stop to Take It All In
It stopped me in my tracks and for once as a busy mom I took it all in.
I can’t describe it, almost like little bubbles of energy all over in the air. It was electric and a feeling to take it all in was written in every turn of the mixer.
So I did.
And they did.
And it was magic.
One of My Greatest Treasures
A few months ago I had my parents to the house and Jessica Kettle spent all day taking pictures of us in the kitchen together. I told mom that night, “I feel that this will be one of my greatest treasures. I don’t know why, but these photos mean something and one day will mean everything to me.”
My Dad
Dad didn’t cook much growing up.
Waffles with ice cream.
Cheesy scrambled eggs with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Weirdo peanut butter pickle sandwiches I refuse to try.
And he traveled. A lot.
And he was a bishop of our local church.
But man, when dad was home, he was home. Totally present.
I hope that I can live in the good feelings and not just one day remember them and wish there were more.
Live with the Light On
Living and loving regardless of circumstances is possible.
I promise.
Through two years of unemployment, through three Hyperemesis Gravidarum pregnancies, and many more trials, I’ve learned that the darkness may come but there’s a light inside that no one can turn off, the catch is, you have to remember it’s there.
This week has been a reminder to live with the light on.
And can I step on my soap box? Next time you need family photos, ditch the perfect clothes and location, invite the grandparents over and just let someone capture moments of everyone together.
It is the best.
Tell Me About Your Dad
Now lighten the mood, tell about your dad and his cooking skills or anything. No dad? Tell me about whoever was important.
Please.
Trust me, there’s a lot of you hurting, we all need to connect w/each other.
I believe in him.
He’s always believed in me.
Love you, dad. Always have. Always will. We have lots of memories to come.
Christy H
My dad was an awesome father despite not having a good example of what a father should be. He always told my two sisters, myself and my brother we could become whatever we wanted. Keep in mind, I’m 63 so back then, girls weren’t encouraged to pursue careers. He combed our hair and read to us every night. He attended every play and every game we were involved in. All four of his children graduated college, even though he himself didn’t have the ability to get an education. He was a wonderful grandfather to his grandchildren. I miss him so.
Sweet Basil
Wow, he sounds so incredible…everything a dad should be! The example are fathers set is so important. I can’t help but wonder what the world would be like if everyone had a dad who was present and encouraging! Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute to your dad!
Nancy Hanselman
Prayers for a healthy recovery for your dad and strength For you and your family during this time.
My Dad was the father of 6, me being his youngest. He has 14 grandkids and manages to love all of us like we are the most important person in the world! Mostly I remember as a child eating dinner every night as a family listening to his crazy stories from work, commenting on my moms great cooking and being such a strong family man. He didn’t cook but he grew great vegetables! He always had a huge garden and in retirement had a mini farm with chickens and ducks.
I was a self conscious chubby teen, but my Dad always managed to make me feel beautiful and loved. I feel blessed to have had the strong family foundation he and my mom provided for us.
Feeling blessed and thankful,
Nancy
Sweet Basil
I love all of this so much Nancy! He sounds like everything a dad should be! Thank you for sharing a little piece of your heart with us!