Papa on our Minds…

March 20, 2009 | Category: I'm a Daughter

Papa on our Minds...As they say, life is full of surprises. Some surprises are so spectacular that you find yourself jumping for joy at your good fortune. Other surprises hit you like a two ton load of bricks that take you to straight your knees. Some unexpected events will leave you will a lump in your throat, gravel in your eyes, and a hole in your heart too big to ever patch.

Wednesday morning, my father-in-law, (our papa) lost his battle with cancer. We knew he was sick, we knew he was in pain – we never fathomed how very grave his immediate condition was.

I could try to tell you how he was the most kindhearted, loving, genuine man I knew. I would fail miserable if I tried to put into words what a man of God he was. In my wildest dreams, I’ll never know the impact of how many hearts he touched and changed.

I could try to eulogize this man – but I would be doing him a huge disgrace. I simply don’t have the proper words.

He was awesome.

Our family is torn in a million tiny little bits- trying to put back together a puzzle that will never have all of it’s pieces.

Unfortunately for the ones left behind – life has to go on. We will go back to our normal lives as much as we can, but it will be a new normal. Normal has changed. Normal will never be the same.

For today, we will celebrate and find praise through our deepest grief. Celebrate a man created out of the image of God. Celebrate a husband. Celebrate a papa to 14 awesome little ones.

Celebrate a man who now is alive, without pain – running the streets of heaven.

We love you papa, we toast to you with our glass of boxed chillable red wine.

Papa was a good man. Too good to be real. Too good to be gone so soon.

Related posts:

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  2. Praying for Papa…
  3. Nana and Papa Over
  4. Camping with Nana and Papa
  5. update on Papa…
43 Comments

Comments

43 Responses to “Papa on our Minds…”

  1. The Oppold Family:
    March 20th, 2009 @ 1:44 am

    Lifting you and your loved ones in prayer.

    [Reply]

  2. Nichole
    March 20th, 2009 @ 1:44 am

    I’m so sorry for your loss.

    [Reply]

  3. Midwest Mommy
    March 20th, 2009 @ 1:56 am

    I am so sorry. I am keeping you and your family in my prayers tonight.

    [Reply]

  4. Jenny
    March 20th, 2009 @ 2:03 am

    Oh my goodness… I am so sorry for your loss!!! Tragic news!
    I’ll be praying for you guys and also praising the Lord that he was in your lives!

    [Reply]

  5. Mommy Melee
    March 20th, 2009 @ 2:44 am

    I am so sorry. My thoughts are with your family.

    [Reply]

  6. the kringalings
    March 20th, 2009 @ 3:56 am

    Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

    [Reply]

  7. Smellyann
    March 20th, 2009 @ 5:29 am

    I am so sorry for your loss.

    [Reply]

  8. Clarisa
    March 20th, 2009 @ 6:56 am

    I hope you will be the good father ..
    _________________
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    [Reply]

  9. Dana Jae (and Eliza too!)
    March 20th, 2009 @ 12:17 pm

    Em, thanks for this… it’s beautiful, and a very fitting tribute to the man we all loved so much. See you soon.

    [Reply]

  10. Ange
    March 20th, 2009 @ 1:15 pm

    What a perfect post. So sorry for your loss, he sounds like an awesome guy.

    [Reply]

  11. Kat
    March 20th, 2009 @ 2:02 pm

    It is so difficult to describe someone who means so much to you. Words just fail. But this was a beautiful tribute.
    I’m so sorry for your loss.

    [Reply]

  12. Michelle
    March 20th, 2009 @ 2:10 pm

    You are in my heart, my thoughts and my prayers. I am so sorry.

    [Reply]

  13. wendi
    March 20th, 2009 @ 3:27 pm

    that was a nice post. hang in there, i’ll see you tonight…

    [Reply]

  14. grubb girls
    March 20th, 2009 @ 4:10 pm

    I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. My thoughts are with you.

    [Reply]

  15. Sarah @ Ordinary Days
    March 20th, 2009 @ 4:30 pm

    Oh Emily, I am so sorry to hear your sad news. Sounds like he was really a great man. Happy you had a chance to have him in your life. :)

    [Reply]

  16. Amy
    March 20th, 2009 @ 4:52 pm

    I’m so sorry. I remember keeping up with his story on Caring Bridge last year and have thought about him in past months but thought he was finally doing well. Will keep your family in my prayers.

    Amy

    [Reply]

  17. Jayme
    March 20th, 2009 @ 5:56 pm

    nice post emily. i pray for peace and comfort now and in the days ahead. take comfort in knowing that many are keeping you in their thoughts and prayers. sending love from NC!

    [Reply]

  18. katydid6
    March 20th, 2009 @ 5:59 pm

    I’m so sorry for you and your family. What a beautiful post and sweet picture to go along with it. My heart goes out to you.

    [Reply]

  19. Teresa
    March 20th, 2009 @ 6:17 pm

    So sorry for your loss. We will be keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers.

    [Reply]

  20. Mirinda
    March 20th, 2009 @ 9:03 pm

    Oh, Emily I am so sorry for your loss. I’m so grateful that you all have the comfort of knowing where he is now. Wrapping you in cyberhugs and many prayers.

    [Reply]

  21. The Hess'
    March 20th, 2009 @ 9:34 pm

    Elling family-
    I am so sorry to hear this news and tears are starting to roll bc I know how much he meant to you and so many other people. Your earlier posts and the caring website from before told me that this man was such a Man of God. Take comfort in knowing that he is there with Him now. Sending much love and hugs your way, I will keep your family in my prayers.

    [Reply]

  22. The Mom
    March 20th, 2009 @ 9:45 pm

    I am so sorry.

    [Reply]

  23. Sarah
    March 20th, 2009 @ 10:45 pm

    I’m very sorry for your loss….it’s been a crappy week all around I think.

    [Reply]

  24. DeWitt Family
    March 20th, 2009 @ 11:01 pm

    So Sorry for your loss. Praying for you and the family.

    [Reply]

  25. The Amsler Family
    March 20th, 2009 @ 11:11 pm

    Love you…call when you get home and we can fill the time up with laughter from the little ones. Give michael a big hug from us please

    [Reply]

  26. girlymama
    March 21st, 2009 @ 2:01 am

    so, so sorry.

    [Reply]

  27. Jamie
    March 21st, 2009 @ 3:19 am

    I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s been a long road to travel on, but you guys stuck together as a family. The caring bridge website was viewed by many.

    [Reply]

  28. Kristi
    March 21st, 2009 @ 3:19 am

    looks like stupid cancer has taken another great person. I am so sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace and may his spirit live through all of you.

    [Reply]

  29. The Flip Flop Mamma!
    March 21st, 2009 @ 4:16 am

    I’m so sorry to hear this. I hate cancer, it really sucks. If you ever want to talk, feel free to email me. We lost my friend Steve much sooner than we had hoped, so I know how hard it is. I’ll be praying for your family.
    flipflopmamma[at]gmail.com

    [Reply]

  30. Shannon
    March 21st, 2009 @ 12:28 pm

    Thinking and praying for you guys.

    [Reply]

  31. Heather, Queen of Shake Shake
    March 21st, 2009 @ 12:55 pm

    Emily, I’m so sorry for your loss. Will be thinking about your family.

    [Reply]

  32. Steuer Family
    March 21st, 2009 @ 2:24 pm

    So sorry to hear your news. Will keep your family in our prayers

    [Reply]

  33. Shalet
    March 21st, 2009 @ 7:49 pm

    So sorry!

    [Reply]

  34. moosh in indy.
    March 21st, 2009 @ 8:00 pm

    I know you know that I know where his is. Just like you know where he is.
    And he’s happy and waiting for you.

    [Reply]

  35. bethmaat
    March 21st, 2009 @ 8:47 pm

    Emily,
    So sorry for your loss. I pray that God will wrap his arms around you and your family and give you peace. I lost my father in-law suddenly to a massive heart attack 1 1/2 years ago. He too was an amazing Papa to 7 grandchildren and an amazing man of God.
    Again, you are in my prayers today and for months to come.

    Take care,
    Beth (VanDerMeulen) Maat

    [Reply]

  36. heather...
    March 22nd, 2009 @ 3:16 pm

    I’m so sorry Em. But you did a beautiful job of describing him!

    [Reply]

  37. Anonymous
    March 22nd, 2009 @ 11:10 pm

    Sorry doesn’t seem to make things any easier or better. Just know I’m thinking about you and Michael and send my prayers and love.

    Misty

    [Reply]

  38. Rachel
    March 23rd, 2009 @ 1:15 am

    Oh sweet friend.
    I am so sorry for your family’s loss.
    HUGE hugs.
    Y’all are in my prayers.

    [Reply]

  39. Courtney
    March 24th, 2009 @ 7:52 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

    courtney

    [Reply]

  40. Miss E
    March 24th, 2009 @ 8:27 pm

    I just read your post now. I’m so sorry for your loss. Big hugs and prayers being sent your way.

    xoxo

    [Reply]

  41. April
    March 27th, 2009 @ 12:28 am

    I am so terribly sorry for your loss.

    [Reply]

  42. Mason and Terri's Mom
    March 29th, 2009 @ 1:18 am

    Em, this was a beautiful post. Words can never sum up someones wonderfulness. I’m so sorry I’m just reading this. (my father was rushed to the ER last week. I’ve been working and running around for the past two weeks.)

    I’m so sorry sweety. thank you for sharing this with all of us. I’m sure he was a lovely man, and now you and your family can rest easier knowing that he is not living in the pain that he had here on earth.

    {[praying for you and your families comfort]}

    and you email me if you want to talk. :-* and hugs!! XOXO

    [Reply]

  43. BlondeMomBlog (Jamie)
    April 1st, 2009 @ 2:50 am

    I’m so so sorry to read this sad news. It is so hard to lose a loved one. I love that beautiful photo…take care!

    [Reply]

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