Friday's Letters and Then Some

Dear Family,  I could not be more proud of how close and supportive we have been of each other.  We lost such a huge part of our family, and not one bit of it has been easy, but we have been there for each other in the most amazing way.


Dear Friends, Extended Family, and Others for their thoughts and prayers,  Thank you, they are much needed and appreciated. xo


Dear Gwen, I am so happy that you got to know your Pop-Pop so well before he passed.  He loved you so much, and I will make sure to tell you all the stories I can about him.


Dear Jason, Oh, my rock... I could not have gotten through the past few days without you.  Thank you for all of your love and support. Pop loved you like one of his own. I love you. a lot. ;)  


Dear Mom, Thank you for the good care that you have given to Mam-Mom and Pop during this rough time.  Although we may not all say it, we are extremely grateful to you. Love you.


Dear Mam-Mom, My sweet Mam-Mom, I am so sorry for your loss.  You and Pop showed us all what True Love really is.  I can't imagine how heavy your heart is, because I know how heavy mine is.  I hope that time will heal us all.  I hate to see you go, and eagerly await your return. I love you so so much and hope that you have a safe trip home. I know that your funny face guardian angel will be watching over your ever step.


Dear Pop,  It hurt so much bringing you to your final resting place... it made everything so final.  I miss you more than words can express. There isn't anything any of us wouldn't do for one more hug, smile, kiss, or laugh.  Visit us in our dreams, maybe we can take a car ride? I love you.

This is a poem that my Aunt Deb wrote the day Pop passed away. It is truly beautiful... enjoy.

Shocking news and harsh reality

Brought us to this place of inevitability

And so we gathered like never before

And we broke open our thoughts and our hearts

And shed it all- right down to the core

Something happened this day

And as we were told to do, we said goodbye

Before he boarded his last plane

And took off into the sky

With painful anticipation

We waited and prayed with want for him to fulfill his dream

Of coming back home to die among family in peace

Something happened this day

We were overcome with happiness to see

He survived the flight with tremendous hunger

For -go figure- baked ziti

Our joy was confusing because we already knew

How this story was very soon to conclude

Something happened this day

And so we settled him in to his ending care

Learning to accept this final way

Adjusting from monitoring everything

To simply keeping him peaceful and without pain

Something happened this day

We learned how to visit and how to respect each persons walk

We learned how to put on a smile

And listen to him struggle to talk

We witnessed him keep his word and honor his wife one last time 

As he arranged for us to gather for her

70th birthday surprise

Something happened this day

And as the last goal was met

And he felt fulfilled and achieved

We could see the looming sunset just beyond the trees

We continued to support as each of us knew how

And prayed for the best

That God would allow

Something happened this day

I woke up this morning to receive the call

That this husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend

has taken his last fall

I questioned what's left?

What will fill the hole in our hearts?

How do we move forward?

How do we restart?

Then I realized it's already begun

We have merged all of our memories and combined them as one

This man was like no other

He'd probably say... "I am what I am and if you don't like it that's just too bad"

A loving husband, Pop-Pop, uncle, brother, and dad.

And on this day

Something happened... and we are forever changed.

-Deb Lyons

Yes, we are FOREVER changed.  We love you.