Sunday, December 09, 2007

So hard to say goodbye


I am sure you have all noticed it has been a while since my last post. 2 days after my last post my sweet father passed away. I was in the car when my mom told me, and I could barely catch my breath. I pulled over and just began sobbing. My kids and I were on our way to Chuck E. Cheese, and poor Dallin didn't know what to say to help me feel better. The next week was kind of a blur as I got ready to go home to be with my family again. We decided to leave Dallin and Emily with some good friends here and we just took Bryce. My awesome friend Sarah offered to come with us to help take care of Bryce. What a blessing she was to have with us. (Thanks Zook for watching your 4 kids and taking 2 days off work to let Sarah be with us.)

The funeral was beautiful. There were so many people there-it was standing room only. My dad has touched the lives of everyone he met. I loved talking with people that he worked with that I had never met before. They all said how kind he was and how he never complained. That is truly how my father is. He makes everyone feel special and that they are important.

My little sister and my older sister put together the eulogy and it was beautiful. I felt it really showed the man he is, especially his sense of humor! Each of the siblings talked about their favorite memories with Dad and then my mom spoke. My mom even read some things out of my dad's journals saying he was proud of his children. That really meant a lot to me. I feel the funeral was a great tribute to my dad.

That night my siblings and I all went back to my parents' home in the mountains. There was snow on the ground, so we hung out inside. My mom pulled out a book that my dad had written some of his childhood/adulthood memories in and we took turns reading the questions and his answers. It was wonderful.

The rest of the weekend was really low-key, just enjoying time as a family. I know my dad is so happy seeing all of us getting along. I hope we will continue to strengthen one another as we go through this difficult time. Thanks for everyone's love and support and prayers for me and my family. I wish you could have all known my dad. I will do a post soon about my dad and all his great qualities. Right now I just want to say how much I love him He is an awesome father, grandfather, friend, son, and brother. I love you, Dad!










The first and the last photos were taken by my friend and amazing photographer, Lisa Dillon. I am so grateful that we did this photo shoot!

I also posted about a run I did the day after my dad died.

12 comments:

Leah Marie said...

I'm so sorry Kelly. I know it doesn't matter expected it is, its always hard.

JP said...

You have been in my thoughts and prayers for weeks now. The hard thing about the blogging world is how helpless I feel. Of course, I may have felt that anyway.

So, I'm sending a huge internet hug your way.

Suzie Petunia said...

I am so grateful for the experience I had with your family last weekend. It was a great blessing to get to know who your dad really is - now I understand why you are the way you are! He is an amazing person who was able to rise above some of life's most difficult challenges and I truly admire him and your whole family for that. I love that I know your siblings now. You have a wonderful and fun family! You are so blessed.

ped crossing said...

I had been thinking of you. I'm glad you could have that time with your family to remember and enjoy the memories.

Take care.

Sunny said...

You don't know me, but I am a friend of Suzie's. I just wanted to extend my love and empathy at this time. My dad passed away from cancer when I was fifteen. Seeing those pictures brought back so many memories of gatherings around the hospital bed and tender moments with kids and grandkids as family drew near to soak up precious last moments.

It is hard to say good-bye at any age and no matter how "prepared" we may be. I am glad you have such a wonderful friend in Suzie. I hope you are able to find comfort in your memories, your faith, and your friends. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Rach said...

I'm sorry to hear about your Dad. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.

Anonymous said...

Kelly it was so good to see you and all of your family last week at your Dad's funeral. Your Dad truly was an amazing man and I'm so glad that I had the chance to know hime for so many years. He was like another Dad to me in High School, when we would hang out and stay up late...I remember him lecturing us! Or when he would pick up the phone and tell you to hang up after we had been talking on the phone for hours about our boyfriends and other teenage things! I will miss your Dad and his wonderful smile. And as always, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time especially around the holiday season.

Team Hanni said...

Oh Kelly,

I'm at a complete loss as to what to say. Your Dad sounds incredible. I'm sure it has broken your heart to say goodbye.

I read your story about your run- your strength amazes me. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

I wish there was something I could do to help....

Rynell said...

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Your faith renews my own. Peace be with you and yours.

ellen said...

Kelly,
I'm so sad for you. I've been thinking and thinking about you. I wish there was something I could do, but know I'm crying with you and praying for you.
Ellen

Jayme said...

I am so sorry about your the loss of your wonderful dad. I am sad I could not attend his funeral. I am sure it was beautiful. You and your family remain in our prayers.

Ang said...

I can just tell from your pictures what an amazing Dad you were blessed with. I hope you are able to find peace during this time in your life! I really don't know what to say except that your family is in my prayers!