I'm sure some of you are wondering.... how things went for Christmas, New Years, and what is happening with my fathers b-day which is tomorrow... he would be turning 68 years old.
As some may assume, Christmas must have been hard. Having a parent pass away at Christmas time... how terrible it's going to be.... But I like to think of it as a blessing. We always get together for Christmas, so we'll always get together for this. Well Christmas this year was a very special. We spent most of the day sharing memories with each other and celebrating my dads life. In the bulletin, there was a piece of paper that said "Something I Remember In My Relationship With Henry de Wolde". It was asked of the congregation to jot down a little thought, memory, something that dad taught, or maybe even a joke that dad may did to that person on that piece of paper, so that we his children, wife and grandchildren could reflect on at another date. So on Christmas day we took those papers, and handed them out around the table and took turns sharing them. Some were heart warming, some were kind words, and some were hilarious. We also took a look at all the on-line condolences that came in through the funeral home... but also a few of us had special messages that came by e-mail, and facebook. One of our relatives had mentioned on the memory paper, that dad played Donna Sommers really loud and that he didn't care what anyone said... so, that is just what we did. And we sang it at the top of our lungs. And just like years past... the guitar got played (by my brother Brad this year instead of dad) and we sang a few songs together It was a special day.
We got back together for New Years Day. This is when we shared ( in the same way as Christmas) who had sent out flowers, and gave donations to the "C.R.W.R.C." ( Christian Reformed World Relief Committee) and the "Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation." This day too was filled with memories and sharing.
Tomorrow is my dads Birthday. We the whole family is getting together, and I'm sure just like the past few weeks, it will be a great day and we'll be Thanking the Lord for what a special dad, husband and grandfather we had.
I'm sure some of you are wondering how things are with mom. Well, the girls and I stayed with mom over the Christmas Holidays. It was nice to have the extra support, and I know my mom feels the same way. Mom seems to be doing good, but of course has her moments, just like anyone else... but says that it still feels like dad is on a trip, and will be walking through the door at any time. I know a couple of my brothers feel this way as well.... That it doesn't feel real. I too kind of feel this way sometimes, but I like to stay positive and put a little twist on that feeling and say... "he is gone away, but I'm the one on a trip (probably a long one) and I am going to come home to him (in heaven) and I will see him again someday."
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Years. I will keep writing and sharing. Thank you for reading, and posting your thoughts.
In the last few weeks of my dads sickness, I never wanted to say good-bye, so I had started to say to him "We'll see ya soon Pa". I used this phrase again as a closer for his life line in the bulletin, and I will keep it going in different ways to everyone else.
So....
We'll Talk To You Soon
Becky
Updates and Memories of Henry de Wolde and Family
