Ups & Downs

It's been a while since I've posted regularly. As you all know, life has it's ups and downs and that is certainly no exception on this side of the planet. I'm trying to get back in the groove of things over here. There have been a few things that have gone on that have prevented me from wanting to blog lately. Some sad, some stressful and some just due to indecisiveness and poor time management.

My best friend's Dad passed away in August. This man was one of the great ones. A good husband, a good Dad, a good friend...and he died...suddenly... leaving my poor friend devastated. My heart breaks for her every day. I can't even imagine how much she is hurting. I was unable to attend the funeral because it was 800 miles away. I called and texted and listened as much as I could to try to help my friend through this awful time and felt completely helpless. Her Dad’s name was George, my Dad’s name is George. We each come from a family of four (three girls and one boy), we’ve been friends since the second grade. I’ve known her family since I was 7. And now he was gone. Just the finality and emptiness of it all really struck a chord with me. We almost lost my Dad four years ago to a heart attack, that is the same way my friend’s father died. We were the lucky ones. She only has a picture to remember him by. I’ve been driving my Dad crazy, checking on him regularly, making sure he’s walking each day and eating healthy.

I finally got to hug my friend at the end of October at the memorial service for her Dad. It was such a sad day, seeing her with her husband and children. Her children that had lost a wonderful grandfather, their Poppy. Seeing her Mom for the first time in a long time, knowing that she had lost a man that she had loved and lived with happily for 51 years.

Somehow each day they all need to get up, start their days and live without him. I just can’t imagine how that feels. I’m thankful for each day I get to spend with my own Dad and I’ll admit I get a little panicked wondering how long I’ll be lucky enough to have him say “don’t worry Stace, I’m still here.”