Just four short months ago I started this blog. I am
devastated as I’m sure a lot of you are at how soon it has come time to close
it.
Andrew articulated everything I
felt so much better than I could. So I’m going to do something else. I’m going
to say thank you.
This has been such a hard time for my family. We are all
feeling such an immense loss. When I think about how brief four months is, and
how much has happened within that time frame, I feel a little better about
being unable to function and crying through my nights.
And then there was you. You helped us. You called and texted
and emailed and brought food and visited. I want to thank you.
Everyone who visited my Dad at the hospital, prayed with him,
told funny stories with him, comforted him when he needed it most.
Our family of friends who communicated in some way shape or
form that you loved and cared for us and were thinking/praying for us.
Everyone who wrote down such beautiful, comforting words
when I thought words couldn’t do that in the midst of this.
The Stercho family for coming out and visiting, and honoring
him.
Aunt Stacie for coordinating his care and using your brain
when we couldn’t use ours.
Everyone who helped along the way on our East Coast road
trip, you made it so great.
My amazing nursing school class for this Suzie-themed gift
basket (there are definitely organic lavender bath bombs and a whole foods gift
card titled: hugs and quiches in there). I love you guys.
My faculty for stopping at nothing to work around the
schedule to let me be home so much.
New Hope
Central Oahu for your outpouring of love & the use of your building. Thanks
for being our family.
Everyone who sent flowers and notes, it made the room so
bright and beautiful.
Cousin Pattie for buying me the ticket home. You are Michael are such treasures.
Everyone who came to the memorial service. It was such an
overwhelming night of remembering who my Dad was and the incredible legacy he
leaves. The food was also BANANAS. Can’t beat a Hawaiian potluck. He would have
loved it.
The Lord, for his sweet mercies that are new. For no more
pain. For more things to do on this earth to stay busy for. For comfort and
joy, even in the midst of anger and sorrow.
My Mamas amazing boss Sheila Harris. She met us at the airport on her
birthday twelve years ago to welcome us to Hawaii. She gave my Mom a job when the initial
company fell apart. She gave my Dad a job when he needed one. In so many ways,
she has taken care of our family. She does such kindnesses without thinking
twice about them. But they are earth-shattering. They make us weep. You are
such an amazing, compassionate lady. We are so thankful for you.
And to my Papa, thank you for being the best Dad kids could
ask for. The best husband I have ever seen. For letting us explore without
getting killed. For never letting us think we were stupid or incapable of
anything. For always pushing us to dream big. For being such an amazing
comforter. For telling the truth always. For looking past all wrongs. Our immeasurable
failures as his children and his love, approval or tenderness never wavered.
Sometimes on drives home when it was just him and I, he
would talk about how lucky he was to have my Mom. How pretty she was, how she
loved people more than anyone he had even seen. He was in awe of her. Over 30
years of marriage and he was still so lucky to have gotten to be with her. He
did what we all are supposed to do but seems so much easier in theory: he saw
flaws, but looked past them at the heart of everything, he looked at
intentions. It enabled him to see things clearly and not be easily angered. It
allowed him to be incredibly patient for hot-headed women (like my Mom and I).
You taught us so many good ways to be. We love you so much
for it. We will miss you everyday for the rest of our lives, Papa.
