Shortly before Christmas, my hubby's dad had a massive heart attack and stroke. The docs did some emergency stop-gap miracles and although he lost his vision, he got better very quickly. Hubs spent the week before Christmas in Kentucky with his family and came home on Christmas Eve. That part was fun b/c we didn't tell the kids he was coming. He was home when we got back from our Christmas Eve service and when he opened the door, you should have seen the stuff that went flying out of children's hands so they could tackle him with hugs and kisses. I wish I had a camera for that moment; it was absolutely precious.
My parents were here to celebrate the holiday and they went home shortly before New Year. Hubs dad finally went home and continued to make miraculous progress; so much so that his sister in law (who was there to help my mother in law) went home b/c she was no longer needed there.
The next day his father passed away from another heart attack. :( Getting that call at 2:30 in the morning was a blessing though b/c Hubs and I had hours to lay in bed, crying and talking. He needed that before the kids got up. I have never seen my man so heart broken. It was gut-wrenching to see but I am grateful I was with him when he got the call.
He spent that day on the phone with relatives and trying to coordinate getting to his mom to help her. His biggest concern was that she not be alone. I do love that man. My parents immediately headed back up to watch the kids (children with fatal allergies to skin contact with very common foods cannot be in the mix of these times) and a precious friend let us borrow a car, gave us gas money and off we went. We spent a week with family (20 of us in one house for a few days - with ONE bathroom!! We lived.) shuffling back and forth between various cities in Michigan. Hubs dad was a 30 year Marine with two tours in Vietnam. He wasn't in the military, he WAS military. His van is covered in Marine stickers and every visit he was wearing a different Marine shirt. :) The funeral was beautiful and a perfect tribute to a man who loved to give gifts to others and loved his country with all his heart.
Now my hubs family (mom, sister, bro-in-law & nieces) are moving near us. After his dad's heart attack in December, there had already been talk of all the family moving here; this just accelerated the plan. It will be wonderful to have family nearby. Everyone in my house seems to be dealing with their grief well. Staying busy has helped but I know once they live nearby, Hubs will feel his dad's absence more keenly.
And to leave you on a happy note, Hubs and I did enjoy the snow up north. It's easy to love it when you don't have to shovel it. HA! We took lots of silly pictures to send the kids (thank you picture phone!). Life has been sad recently and is about to get super hectic but I am grateful for the ability to find the fun moments, laugh and have fun.
Look how deep this crazy stuff is!
Sticking icicles up his nose...trying to get pictures of him as Sid the Sloth (if you're familiar with those movies)
I adore this picture of him...he usually makes silly faces so I rarely catch the real him...LOVE this.
Cherish your loved ones!
*sniff* such sweet sorrow. you are precious. hubs too.
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