An Epilogue

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.