At 12:31 am on July 31 (my 35th birthday) my Daddy died suddenly of a massive heart attack at the age of 53. We are all in shock, it really hasn't hit me despite the beautiful ceremonies that were held and saying goodbye. I still expect to see him when I am at Mom's house or when we are all at the lake. I mourn what wasn't, what was and what might have been....
Daddy was honored in such beautiful ways. There were an estimated 700 plus visitors at the funeral home and the 20 plus mile processional from the funeral home to the veteran's Cemetery was led by no less than 20 police vehicles, lights on leading the way. At every intersection along the way, traffic was stopped and an officer saluted the hearse. Even on the divided highway people were standing outside of their vehicles, all but 2 or three pulled over in respect. Services were held in the outdoor chapel at the veteran's cemetery, there were no less than 50 officers lined up on each side of the walk saluting Daddy's flag draped coffin as it proceeded into the chapel and we followed behind. It was beautiful and so surreal. They honored him with a gun salute and taps was played by a lone bugler. The slow tune tore at my heart with its finality. My brother and sister released 4 white doves as I read the poem entitled "The Final Flight". Three of the doves represented the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) while the fourth, representing Daddy's soul was released to join the three.
Daddy was honored in most of the surrounding newspapers and the local TV station paid tribute to him in a way that would make him proud. I don't know if this will work but here is the clip:
http://www.kfvs12.com/Global/s...v=menu51_2
Pray for my mother, bless her heart she is the strongest woman I know. She is still Mom, getting the job at hand done while mourning. Kurt said that it is now our job to take care of her. He has asked her to move in with us, even thinking of ways to add on to our existing home so that she might have her own space. I don't think that she will move in but hopefully she will move closer. Pray for my grandparent's.....I went with Mom to tell them and I pray that I never have to witness another parent being told that their child has died, no matter how old the child. I watched them age years before my eyes and held my grandmother while she sobbed....I remember those arms that used to be so strong holding me when I would cry as a child, now she is weeping for her baby and I am holding her.
At least Daddy didn't suffer, he was a smoker and certainly was at high risk for cancer and other lung issues that could have resulted in a long, slow death. This was instant, only moments before he had told my mother that he loved her. I think that that is the way he would want it, he was a man that hated sickness, going to the doctor and medication.
I knew that I loved my husband but I never realized just how much he truly loved me. Not that I didn't know that he loved me, he has fought for me when things were rough but this time of mourning and sadness he has revealed even more what a kind, deep feeling, caring and compassionate man that he really is. I got more compliments from people that have known me all of my life that watched him with me and the children over the course of the funeral week on what a great guy he is. He took charge and made breakfast for everyone at my grandmother's house after we had gone down to tell them. I didn't have to lift a finger to do anything and he was always there to catch me when I was about to "fall". What a comfort to have such a strong husband to take over and take care of all of us. We both have vowed to really let each other know daily how much we appreciate and love each other. Time here together can really be so brief. I realized how much he loves my parent's as his own, too. He doesn't read this blog but in anycase.....I love you Kurt, I appreciate you and I am so proud of the man that you have become.....believe in yourself and let no one take what is real and right away from you....
I'll close now, I really haven't processed all that this means to me.....I have a feeling that it is going to hit me when I am not expecting it. I have tons of school work to catch up on and sleep to catch up on as I haven't been able to sleep since this happened.
Daddy was honored in such beautiful ways. There were an estimated 700 plus visitors at the funeral home and the 20 plus mile processional from the funeral home to the veteran's Cemetery was led by no less than 20 police vehicles, lights on leading the way. At every intersection along the way, traffic was stopped and an officer saluted the hearse. Even on the divided highway people were standing outside of their vehicles, all but 2 or three pulled over in respect. Services were held in the outdoor chapel at the veteran's cemetery, there were no less than 50 officers lined up on each side of the walk saluting Daddy's flag draped coffin as it proceeded into the chapel and we followed behind. It was beautiful and so surreal. They honored him with a gun salute and taps was played by a lone bugler. The slow tune tore at my heart with its finality. My brother and sister released 4 white doves as I read the poem entitled "The Final Flight". Three of the doves represented the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) while the fourth, representing Daddy's soul was released to join the three.
Daddy was honored in most of the surrounding newspapers and the local TV station paid tribute to him in a way that would make him proud. I don't know if this will work but here is the clip:
http://www.kfvs12.com/Global/s...v=menu51_2
Pray for my mother, bless her heart she is the strongest woman I know. She is still Mom, getting the job at hand done while mourning. Kurt said that it is now our job to take care of her. He has asked her to move in with us, even thinking of ways to add on to our existing home so that she might have her own space. I don't think that she will move in but hopefully she will move closer. Pray for my grandparent's.....I went with Mom to tell them and I pray that I never have to witness another parent being told that their child has died, no matter how old the child. I watched them age years before my eyes and held my grandmother while she sobbed....I remember those arms that used to be so strong holding me when I would cry as a child, now she is weeping for her baby and I am holding her.
At least Daddy didn't suffer, he was a smoker and certainly was at high risk for cancer and other lung issues that could have resulted in a long, slow death. This was instant, only moments before he had told my mother that he loved her. I think that that is the way he would want it, he was a man that hated sickness, going to the doctor and medication.
I knew that I loved my husband but I never realized just how much he truly loved me. Not that I didn't know that he loved me, he has fought for me when things were rough but this time of mourning and sadness he has revealed even more what a kind, deep feeling, caring and compassionate man that he really is. I got more compliments from people that have known me all of my life that watched him with me and the children over the course of the funeral week on what a great guy he is. He took charge and made breakfast for everyone at my grandmother's house after we had gone down to tell them. I didn't have to lift a finger to do anything and he was always there to catch me when I was about to "fall". What a comfort to have such a strong husband to take over and take care of all of us. We both have vowed to really let each other know daily how much we appreciate and love each other. Time here together can really be so brief. I realized how much he loves my parent's as his own, too. He doesn't read this blog but in anycase.....I love you Kurt, I appreciate you and I am so proud of the man that you have become.....believe in yourself and let no one take what is real and right away from you....
I'll close now, I really haven't processed all that this means to me.....I have a feeling that it is going to hit me when I am not expecting it. I have tons of school work to catch up on and sleep to catch up on as I haven't been able to sleep since this happened.
2 Comments:
God Bless your family. I am so sorry Dottie. Sooooo very sorry. We are the same age and our parents are the same age. I'm stunned. Absolutely stunned. He was soooo young. Well, my heart and thoughts are with you. I have a computer now...with a connection. I'm moved in...and here if you need to talk.
XOXO
C
I'm so sorry.
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