One Day At A Time

It seems hard to believe that my Dad has been gone for three weeks.  I miss him more than words can describe.  I am taking one day at a time with some being more difficult than others.  At times it seems as though it were all a dream --- that it didn't really happen at all.  That when I go to my parents home, I will find my Dad just where he always was--- sitting in his favorite chair reading or watching TV.    

After my Dad's funeral, Alex suggested that we go away somewhere for a night.  Just to unwind and relax a bit.  It has been some time since we went away together just the two of us so we began searching the web to find the perfect place---not too far away but somewhere fun and different.  We decided that Berlin Ohio would be perfect. About 2 1/2 hours from home a small town filled with Amish charm.  We stayed at a wonderful inn called "The Inn at Honey Run".  It was set right in the middle of a beautiful forest.  My Dad would have loved this inn.

The property of the inn was just beautiful.  Little ponds and wood chip covered trails for guests to admire and explore.  And our room was just as lovely.

My favorite part of our room was the floor to ceiling windows in the corner.  We you reclined in those comfortable chairs it felt like you were right out in the forest.  All types of birds flew by and there was even a little bird building a nest in the tree right outside of the window.

Here is the view from our window...

(close up of the creek at the base of the hill)

(close up of the farm across the way)

When we were not relaxing in our room there was a wonderful great room for us to use.

 The little town of Berlin was as cute as could be----filled with wonderful little shops. So we did a little shopping......

My favorite shop was called Millers Dry Goods.  Just look at these photos and you will see why...

 After shopping we did a little eating....

and then a little sight seeing....





We really had a wonderful time.  It was just what I needed. 

So I will continue to take things day by day knowing that time will ease my sadness but never erase the memories of my Dad. 

Daddy

Sometimes life brings things your way that you don't understand and are not  quite ready for.  During the past two weeks, life brought me just that very thing.  Today I said Good Bye to my Daddy for the last time.  For sometime now my Dad has been struggling with COPD.  He gave us a scare last Summer but somehow bounced back with renewed strength.  My Dad was a very strong man and most of the time it was easy to forget just how sick he really was.  But on April 14 he told my Mom that he was just not feeling right and maybe they should make the trip to the hospital.  During the week's stay the doctors were not very encouraging with their reports but my Dad remained strong and we were able to take him home on Good Friday-- just in time for Easter. We had a wonderful visit with him enjoying his favorite do wop music, laughing and reminiscing. 

He was such a proud Pap Pap and he loved his boys so very much! We were also blessed to have him with us to celebrate my son Alex's 20th birthday.

That evening we watched one of his favorite movies, "Return of the Pink Panther".  He had watched it so many times over the years that he was reciting the lines before they were even spoken.  We laughed at all the funny lines together as a family.  I am so thankful that this night will be the last memory Alex will have of his Pap Pap.  Three days later on April 29 my Dad's lungs became to tired to carry on and he went home to be with his Savior.  So today we said Good Bye........

Today we cherish the years together and the memories we hold in our hearts....

There is something special about a little girl and her Daddy.  Even though I am not a little girl anymore that something special remains.  I will miss the way he called me "Meems" I will miss his stories, his laughter, and his smile.  I will miss his hugs and kisses.  I will miss watching him fill with pride as he spent time with my son. I will miss how he enjoyed just hanging out with my husband.  I will miss his "I love yous"

Even though I must say Good Bye for now I know it is not forever.  Because my Dad, on April 17, accepted Christ as his personal savior I know that we will  see eachother once again in heaven.  But until that day I will hold tight to the memories I have and to the assurance that my Daddy loved me very much.