Sunday, December 10, 2006

The Second Sunday of Advent


Light Two Candles to Watch for Messiah, let the light banish darkness.

It is so hard to believe that we are now officially half way to our Christmas celebrations. And in so little time how life has changed for our family.

Last Sunday we celebrated my dear father-in-law's 90th birthday, you may have read about it in one of my darling daughter's blog. We were all so very happy to all be together, with the exception of our youngest, Amy and Tyler. So many lovely pictures were taken, there were laughs, there was tenderness, there was happiness tinged with sadness as our beloved Opa was frail, but he was smiling and enjoying himself so. Very sadly by Tuesday morning Opa was taken to the hospital after he had a fall during the night and sadder still, in the early hours of Friday morning he slipped the surley bonds of earth.

These last few days have been a rush of emotions, memories and planning for his Memorial on Wednesday. If you are reading this, we ask that you remember Opa's entire family in your prayers.

We loved you deeply Opa and we miss you so very much. May God comfort all who mourn.

8 comments:

Mrs. Merriman said...

Just wanted to send hugs your way.. xo

Allyson said...

Thank you honey, we appreciate your thoughts and hugs. We were blessed to have dear dad for so long. Long or short it is never easy as you know only too well. Short leaves so many if onlys and what ifs and wouldn't she have enjoyed, loved . . . . and on and on as we know in the case of your beloved mom. xxxooo

Mrs. Merriman said...

:D Very well said (you have a magic way with words!). Cathy was so lucky to have an Opa until she was 35, and that most of the kids will remember him — the had a GREAT Grampa!! I of course never met him, but I knew he was special :)

Allyson said...

Thank You. xxxxooooo

Kristen said...

What a wonderful gift to have such joyous family time before his passing. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Allyson said...

You are so right Kristen. The celebration couldn't have been better timed and we are so grateful that we had this time together. I hope your studies are going well Kristen. Thanks so much for you note. :)

Carol Kerfoot said...

I'm sorry to hear of your father in law. I believe he felt safe to go after having the pleasures spending a day with his beautiful family. My husbands grandmother also passed away on November 30th. She would have been 100 in April. She slipped away peacefully in her sleep. What a wonderful way to start the next part of the journey. Thinking of you. Carol

Allyson said...

Carol, thank you for your kind words. We too believe he just waited for this lovely party -- his own way of saying goodbye.
What a blessing to have your husband's grandmother be with you for -100 years! She had a whole decade on our dear father-in-law. Wasn't that fantastic.