Ten Years…

Ten years ago this week my dad passed away from cancer. These years flew by to say the least. Thanksgiving was his favorite time of year…. I have learned so much from the entire process of having a parent die. The first years were honestly a blur for me. Watching my mom deal with some of the things that were now the new normal was/is tough. Basically trying to rebuild our lives as best as possible.  As the years kept coming, I became more and more at peace with the entire situation. That part was certainly not easy. And now approaching the ten year mark without my dad here on earth, these are the things that are on my mind tonight:

• I can’t believe how many people I have met in these 10 years (older, younger, and my age) that I saw go through the same thing. I never knew it could be so common to lose a parent. I have not only been able to share my experience with those people – laugh, cry, grieve, get mad – but I have been able to help guide them and relate and speak words into their lives that hopefully brought some comfort.
• The memories of this week ten years ago haven’t gone away, and I hope they never do. I remember the hospice vehicle backing in to our drive way. I remember the really nice employees of that hospice that were so respectful of my dad. I remember not understanding that he was really going to die. I remember all the wonderful people that were there me and my family. I remember coming home hours after he passed and I fell asleep on the living room floor. So many memories from this week…and it feels like it all happened yesterday.
• My dad would have loved to see how good the Cowboys are this year…and would have stayed loyal to awful Browns…he loved Cleveland football.
• And he would have loved, loved, loved to meet his grandson, Andrew.
• Lastly, I am all the more urged to live a life he would be proud of. To be approachable and transparent with people so they see God through me, which in turn leads them to Him. That’s my mission.

I’ll never not think about his passing and how our family has changed. I’ll always remember the good times more than the bad. I can’t encourage people reading this enough to love, cherish, and appreciate the people in your lives right now because no one is promised a tomorrow in this short life on earth.

All the best…K.