See you soon...

The last couple of months have been so emotional in our home.  Our family has lost a great man last Friday.  My sweet father-in-law, who called me "Vanna", never saw me as his son's wife...but as his daughter.  He was always so sweet to me, and I will miss him calling me by that name.  We knew this was coming, although one is never too prepared.  I visited with him on Wednesday, and I heard him say "Hi Vanna", not knowing that would be the last.  On Thursday, he was totally different.  He was losing his surroundings, suffering, not able to breathe well.  We knew it would be any day now.  My husband called me on Friday morning (he spent the night by his side) and said to head up to the hospital, it can be any time now.  I got there late.  But my goodbye was when he had called me "Vanna" one last time, and that is the memory I will always have with me.  We rejoice knowing that he is no longer in pain or suffering, and is now by our Father's side, singing, dancing, playing his steel guitar...breathing.  Breathing the fresh new life, his eternal life, through Jesus Christ.  This has been such great comfort, all by the grace of God.  We said goodbye to his body, and buried him Monday.  Yes, we are saddened that we will not see him anymore, or talk with him, or visit with him.  We are crushed that Jake had only 3 years and 8 months with him, but thankful that he knows Pop-Pop is in Heaven and we will see him soon.  

This whole experience has got me thinking of when I am older, and how Jake will handle all this.  Our plan is to leave as much as possible handled (funeral arrangements, plots, will, wishes) before I time is here.  But, can you ever be prepared?  Now we move on, and we will always have our memories and pictures to remind us of his great love for us.  See you soon Pop-Pop!