All the Good

This had been the hardest 9 days my family has ever been through. And that is the most ridiculous of understatements. In the past four days we viewed my dad's body, hosted a 3 hour visitation, attended his funeral and reception, and buried his ashes at the cemetery.

I can't even begin to process all that we have gone through during those experiences. But throughout this whole experience of losing my dad so suddenly and unexpectedly, there have been amazing moments of good. Those are the moments I can write about now.

We have received so much food, including this amazing Lutheran-style comfort food, that has sustained us and our extended family for 9 days.

G-ma, Pa, Auntie Cat, and Hanna, who lovingly stepped in to provide comfort, somewhat normal routines, and familiarity for the girls when we were unable to do so. 

Our family- so many amazing family members dropped everything to come from near and far and surrounded us with love.

Our friends- who sent texts and messages and brought food and came to clean our house and planted beautiful new flowers in our pots. So many amazing friends who surrounded us with love.

These girls who brought smiles to our faces when it seemed impossible.

And tonight. A beautiful night out with a big group of family. We walked, and ate, and drank, and laughed, and played, and cried, and danced.

Those sun rays appeared in a lot of the pictures I took tonight. It made me think that Dad was there. And then, a bird pooped on Josh, and we all laughed and it was confirmed that Dad was definitely with us. 

Tonight the girls had some quiet play time before bed.

And there were those sun rays again.

The days and weeks and months ahead will be hard. We all know it. But Dad taught us patience. And showed us how to be calm. And how to have faith.  And lived a life of gratitude.

And because of all we learned from him, we know that we will be okay.