Day 168 - Friday, June 17, 2011

Day 168 - Friday, June 17, 2011 - Five months today.

Day 107 - Sunday, April 17, 2011

Day 107 - Sunday, April 17, 2011 – Three months.

Day 40 - Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Day 40 - Wednesday, February 9, 2011 - This angel was part of a flower arrangement that was sent to the funeral home. Owen insisted that we bring it home with us. I didn't like it at first, but it has started to grow on me.

Day 29 - Saturday, January 29, 2011

Day 29 - Saturday, January 29, 2011 - The Garden of Prayer at White Chapel Cemetery is where my dad is laid to rest. Despite not yet having a grave marker, my sister was able to locate his grave by traipsing through the foot of snow, guided by my Aunt Doris via cell phone, whose husband (my dad's brother Uncle Carie) is laid to rest right by my dad. I made snow angels next to the statue, while my sister looked for the grave site. When she found it, we knew we were at the right site because of the three white floral arrangements placed upon it, with the ribbons "Our Poppa", "Best Dad Ever", and "My Guy".

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

Day 24 - Monday, January 24, 2011

Day 24 - Monday, January 24, 2011 - So much love and support. It's been less than a week since my dad passed away and I've been lifted by all of the words of encouragement. Thank you.

Day 22 - Saturday, January 22, 2011

Day 22 - Saturday, January 22, 2011 - A winning Pinochle hand was one of the many little treasures stashed in this gorgeous arrangement that my cousin Sara put together.

Day 21 - Friday, January 21, 2011

Day 21 - Friday, January 21, 2011 - As the funeral procession approached the chapel at the cemetery, firefighters from the Hazel Park Fire Department were standing guard in front of a ladder truck outside of the chapel. (On the coldest day ever!) After holding it together pretty well through out the funeral, this sight caused me to lose it. What an honor.

Day 17 - Monday, January 17, 2011

Day 17 - Monday, January 17, 2011 - My mom called me this afternoon to tell me that the hospice nurse said that my dad only had two hours to two days. After packing an overnight bag and collecting all of the kids from three different schools and driving for what seemed like days, I arrived at their house about 15 minutes after he passed away. These beautiful flowers were blooming at his bedside as we all said our goodbyes, shed our tears, and sang one of his favorite hymns, It Is Well With My Soul.