“It was the best of times….”
We are so proud that Peter graduated high school and has started college.
We enjoyed spending time with Will, Victoria, and Peter during our visit for Peter’s graduation.
We got to attend (myself for the first time ever) a clinching game for a playoff series for the Pittsburgh Penguins.We followed (literally) the Penguins road trip to Tampa, FL and Sunrise, FL and got to see four games in the span of two months with one of those games being right next to the runway for the Penguins where I met Dan Byslma, Jeff Zatkoff, and got to hand bump everyone after the game. This was also the deepest south I have ever been in Florida.
We thanked God for my new job at Chase which is only 15 minutes from the house but also for a great group of co-workers and a great manager.
We celebrated our second wedding anniversary.
Mom celebrated her first year with us.
“It was the worst of times….”
Early August we took mom to the hospital, Little did we know this would start a chain of events that ultimately would up with the Lord calling her home on August 31st.
We were all greatly saddened by this loss. There is a piece that is missing from all of our hearts that cannot be replaced.
God, as he always does, brings good out of a situation – sometimes with some looking – but it was there.
Will, Victoria, and Peter flew down on Augusts 31st. But they arrived 9 hours after mom passed. I immediately went back to the decision that Val and I made to have them down before Christmas in 2012. They got to see, enjoy, and love on mom here at the house.
We all went out to Maggiano’s on September 1st to celebrate mom’s life. I told our waiter why we were here. He made our evening special by giving us all a complimentary glass of champagne. I don’t think I have ever enjoyed a dinner more – great conversation and memories of my parents with my children. Val was very thankful to hear of all the great times that we shared with mom.
Val got to know mom for over a year. What a blessing to me that my beautiful wife got to know my mother. Val loved on mom and got her lunch for her on a daily basis, took her a couple times to get her hair done, took her to doctor’s appointments and enjoyed finding out more about me.
Val’s daughter Jessica got to know mom as well as she watched her while Val and I went up for Peter’s graduation. They both enjoyed each other and mom did “behave” for her. Early after mom moved here she asked me “is that Val’s sister?”. We all laughed !
The outpouring of everyone’s thoughts, prayers, cards, and well wishes during this time was a God send. We could not be more thankful for each and every one of them.
At about 11:00 AM on August 31st, we signed the contract and wrote a check for the start of construction for our new house. About 90minutes latter mom was in heaven. We experienced a wonderful high and an incredible low in a very short period of time.
Mom often talked about dad and she always smiled – that helped fill that huge void for her. As we celebrate this Christmas, the best piece of advice I could give my family would be to talk about both her and dad and the great memories and smile as well.
Thankful beyond words for my beautiful wife – what a precious gift from God that keeps on giving. Your love, support, and encouragement on this earth are second to none.
My awesome children Will, Victoria, and Peter – I could not be more thankful for them. Each one of them is very special to us and we love you all !
My great step daughter Jessica – you have a heart like you mother and by far that is what you excel at. Yes I did like your pink hair !
My awesome in laws Dave & Janice Masters – I could not have been blessed with better in laws. Thank you for your love for us !
To all my friends I will close with this scripture:
Numbers 6:24-26
New International Version (NIV)
24 “‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’
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