Losing my Dad 04/17/14

 I've been gone a bit from my computer. Last month I flew back to my hometown 

of San Diego to help care for my aging Dad. He had been failing all last year and

 required hospice to come into his home in March. He passed away on April 2nd 

at home with all four of his children by his side. He was 89 years old.

This is a photo of him and my mom shortly after they were married. 

Oh, my gosh! He was so dashingly handsome! :)

(Mom wasn't too hard to look at either!)

This is my favorite picture of me and Dad. 1970 Disneyland.

 Look at his big hand holding mine. :)

Holding my oldest in 1982.

After a day of golf a few years ago.  

Dad with his crazy dog, Little Bear...also affectionately known

as "Hump-o-matic."

I've never had anyone this close to me pass away. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, to watch him fade and finally take his last breath. Although my heart is broken, I am so incredibly blessed to have gone through it all with my siblings. The four of us have always loved each other and been pretty close, but this experience has brought a depth to our relationships that I never knew possible. My dad was a complicated man and though he could be difficult, to say the least, we all loved him. We all share the same struggles and joys that came from knowing this man.

God is still good and I hold on to the hope that I may see my dad again. And this time he won't be sick! The resurrection of Easter is on its way! :)