Life Changes…

Life always changes, it never stays the same.  Some changes are small and insignificant, others are life changing.

Today, our world was forever changed.  It was rocked and shaken to the core.

This morning the phone rang.  I answered it and my world changed.  My sister-in-law was telling me that my father-in-law had suddenly passed away.  To say I was shocked would not even be adequate!

My father-in-law was that only on paper.  He was always “Dad” to me.  He accepted me unquestioningly as another one of his children, from the very first time we met.  He will forever be “Dad”.  I was blessed with an absolutely amazing birth father, but I was also blessed with an irreplaceable dad who chose to love me, his son’s wife, as if I were his own child.

Dad had a smile that lit up the room!  He may have tried to put on a rough exterior, but anyone who knew him knew he had a huge heart of gold!

My children were his first grand kids, and my daughters were his chance to have a little girl!  He loved his grand kids.  He spoiled them.  He always had treats for them!  He took the kids fishing when they were younger and they loved it!

Anytime we had car trouble, which wasn’t infrequent…the first person Jason would call for advice was Dad.  Dad could figure a way to fix pretty much anything mechanical I think!  Although I wouldn’t say that it was always done “by the book”.  Sometimes it was pretty creative, but it usually worked!

Dad had this crazy soft spot for their dog Babe too!  That dog was spoiled rotten!  His love was poured abundantly on her and she sure never complained about it!

Dad was wise and caring and always eager to talk about the grand kids!  Even this weekend when Jason asked him about some art on the fridge from the younger grand kids, dad’s face lit up and he just couldn’t say enough great things about the 2 grandsons who had given it to them!

I will forever miss Dad!  I already miss his smile and big strong hugs…and I just saw him 3 days ago!