Where do I start?

How do you tell 52 years of experiences in a small blog post? On July 4, 2010, my father passed away. Over the past 10 years, we have seen his determination in open heart surgery, and many other medical issues, but none that could even come close to the determination he had after the brain surgery.

After he fell, working in the yard, and the decision was made that the surgery had to be done, dad showed a determination that wouldn't stop. None of us were prepared for the next 7 weeks. He showed everyone the Christ like love he had. Every now and then he would show us a side that surprised us. Like when the nurse asked him his name for the1000th time and he said it was Barack Obama. I thought she was going to die laughing. Or when I went to the doctor with him and he handed me his walker and said here you use it I don't need it. As we watched him come back, over coming obstacles that were endless, to the dad we all knew and loved, it was a surprise the way it all ended.

In the last 24 hours of his life, he spent Saturday evening with my sister Dalene and her family at a BBQ. Sunday morning, he and mom drove to Salt Lake to witness the baby blessing of my nieces new baby and spent time with my sisters Carolyn and Lori and their families. And then Sunday evening, they spent some time at my house with me and my family. He talked to Michael and Ashley about their upcoming wedding and his role as their sealer. As he left my house, we discussed the 24th of July activities and then he held my grandchildren close and gave them a kiss on the cheek. We teased about mom having to drive him home and they left. He was still weak, but he was coming back.

About 30 minutes later, I received the call that he had fallen. He had gone home and walked around the block, even using his walker before going into the house. He was only a half a block from home. His heart had had enough. He was at peace with his life and I know he was ready to meet his maker. He slipped away from all of us.

I can't leave mom out of this picture. Mom and dad are both very determined independent people. They love the Lord and their family. They do what ever it takes to make it work. Mom is determined to make it on her own. She doesn't want to be dependent on any of us. What an example for all of us.

The weeks between the fall and his death were weeks of learning and growing. He reminded us how important our family is. How important the Lord should be in our life. But most importantly, he taught us to never give up. To look at hard things straight on and go for it. We should never give up. Life is to short to give up. Live every minute to its fullest. Love the Lord and life in that order. Don't change who you are or what you believe in just because life gets hard.

Thank you dad for your love and example. We miss you!!!!!!!!!!