Eight Years Ago...

My dad and Collin, August 2003

Eight years ago today, my dad passed away at the age of 66.  He was young and physically fit, so when the call came it was quite a shock. But...my dad always said when the good Lord decides it's time for me to go, I hope he takes me quick.  And quick he did take him.  To this day, I am so thankful he did not suffer and at the same time wish he had more time.

At times, eight years feels like one year and other times it feels like more than eight years, but what gives me comfort are the memories I still hold close to my heart.  As I was driving to work yesterday, I was thinking about some of my memories of my dad

• When my dad held my hand, he would often hold it with two hands...cupping my single hand with his two hands.
• Pictures of my dad with my boys as newborn babies. He would never look at the camera, but looked so lovingly at my boys.
• My dad on his knees praying when my dear sister-in-law, Susie, passed away suddenly at the age of 23.
• His laugh that could fill an entire room.
• His love of my mum.  On their 25th wedding anniversary, they took a cruise...and each year after, he kept up the tradition.
• His love for meeting people.  When we worked together and stepped out for lunch, we could never go very far before he ran into someone he knew.
• The look he gave me when he walked me down the aisle to marry Pat.
• Giving my boys airplane rides on the family room floor.

There are so many memories, some hard, but so many oh so good.  So I miss him, but carry him close in my heart each and every day.  Remember to cherish those you love each and every day.

And here's a sentiment that I thought was appropriate for today.  If you look closely at this card, you'll see I stitched around the sentiment to create a bit of a frame.