Simply AMAZING and cool.  I SO want to be a “sister”.

This is my newest daily read. 

My dad passed away on Jan 15th 2007 at the age of 63, after a short battle with cancer.  I am not sure on how to describe how sad I feel that he is gone-gone too soon.  I thought maybe the best way to do this is to remember the good things.  The funny things and the good memories that I will hold onto forever.

My dad loved to fish.  Even in the winter he would ice fish-and I remember going along and ice skating while he fished.  He was amazing at both catching and cleaning the fish.  He loved playing cribbage and cards. He later enjoyed the computer and gardening and of course sports.

I will always think of him when ever I hear a Brewer Baseball game on the radio.  Or watch a Green Bay Packer game on TV.  I would sit with him and watch the games- and learn.  I wanted to be able to talk football with him and KNOW what I was talking about.

Anytime we all played Trivial Pursuit- and if he didnt know the answer-his answer would be “orville ziltch”  and we would LAUGH and LAUGH…

My entire life EVERYONE has said “you look just like your dad” but I never really realized how much until I saw this picture of us.

He loved being a grandpa…even before they came out to meet him.

He worked hard and played hard.  He always had a good story to tell.

He raced up to the hospital when my daughter was born-and though hesitant-he held her and talked to her as sweetly as any proud grandpa could.  I knew at that moment that I had made the right decision to name her after him.

I am so happy that he got to retire early.  He found new joy in his free time and discovered new things to do and learn.

My childrens last memory of him was on a visit back here in Wisconsin-we spent the day at Bay Beach.  He rode the swings with Carly and the Scrambler with Brian. 

Moving to Florida-and never having to shovel again -seemed to agree with him.

Because all the pieces fell into place-I was able to make it to Florida to see him in his last days.

We had some really nice moments even near the end.  I got him pizza and a diet Coke at his request…and we talked football and I told him stories of his grandchildrens latest activities.

When it was time to go…

I knew it would be our last goodbye.

Sleep Peacefully Dad…. No more pain.

I love you. 

Dawn

GAME DAY! YAHOOOOOOO!!!

We have Christmas’d-we have New Year’d…I even birthday’d and I just dont know where to begin.  SO much has happened that I am overwhelmed and exhausted.  I have been happy, sad, excited, hopeful, defeated and I have cried so hard my eyes were puffed for days. Where do I start?  How can I explain the most whirlwind couple of weeks I have ever had in my life?

Calgon take me away!