One Month

This morning I went to a local florist to order a plant for the funeral for Jeremy's Grandma. She died last week after just recently being diagnosed with liver cancer. When the clerk asked me what I wanted written on the card, I just about lost it. I'm sure that the young girl across the counter thought I was a fruitcake but it was just too much for me. Unfortunately it really wasn't about Jeremy's Grandma, it was about my Dad. I held myself together long enough to make it back to the car.

While driving home, a conversation I had with my Dad about 6 years ago came to mind. I had called Dad on my way home from work to tell him that Jeremy and I were getting married in a week or so on New Year's Eve. He was surprised especially since Jeremy and I weren't engaged. He said, "Well that's great news." I said, "will you come? After the ceremony, we are having a little party at our house for everyone." He responded, "No, I can't. I bought tickets with some friends to go to a party in the Quad Cities." I said "Okay that's fine. I understand since this is such short notice." When we hung up, I thought that was really odd that he wasn't going to come to our wedding, especially since the man had never told me NO once in my entire life. About 5 minutes passed, when my phone rang again and it was Dad. I answered my phone and he practically screamed into the phone, "Did you just tell me you're getting married????" I said "Yes, we're getting married!" He laughed hysterically and said, "OHHHHH! I'm sorry I didn't understand what you were saying. It just hit me after we hung up that you said you were getting married. Of course I'll be there. What can I bring???"

Remembering this story made me laugh a little because this was my Dad. Dropping whatever he was doing, no matter how important it was, and running to be with his family or to help a friend.
He was always there no matter what and now he's gone...