Saturday, December 29, 2007

My Dad the Day Before He Died


Here is my Dad the day before he died during a family reunion near Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

It was the summer of 2001.

3 comments:

DORRPOSTS said...

I appreciated your tribute to your dad, Kent. And I think he must have been a very good father to you. I remember once hearing a pastor say that the proof of your (hopefully good) parenting isn't reflected in your kids so much as it's reflected in your grandkids. In other words, if your grandchildren turn out great, you've done a good job parenting your own children, so that they are, themselves, good parents. And I'm certain, knowing your kids as I do, that your dad would be delighted with how his grandchildren (your dear kids) are becoming such wonderful adults, and would thus be content with his own parenting of you and your siblings, even if it was, at times, imperfect. I was also touched by the picture of your dad on the day before he died. Since we just had my mother-in-law's funeral yesterday, death is on my mind. We just never really know what lies ahead for us, do we? Was your dad aware that that might be the last picture ever taken of him? His last time with family? His last smile?

Unknown said...

Jo,
Thanks for your comment. I am intrigued by the idea that the test is how the grandkids turn out. Especially since Barbara and I are flying to Norway this Sunday to "help" Julia and Viggo move by playing with Daniel :-)

I was sorry to hear about Mark's mom, and especially the timing. My dad's heart was weak (congestive heart failure), but other than getting winded and tired easily, we thought he was o.k. I think he had a premonition however, because the night before he died my brothers and I had one of the most open and gentle conversations with him that we had ever had. The next day he died while napping. His hands were still folded in his lap when we found him.

I keep reminding myself that for us and for God there are hard things and wonderful things all happening at the same time. A death and a marriage on the same day are a clear example of that!

Kent

Anonymous said...

i still remember that day. i gave him a hug before my parents and i went to some place i think we were going to eat at. I also remember at the time i didn't really understand what was going on. or else it wasn't sinking in. i was begging everyone to take my swimming, but no one did. See a photo of that day still brings tears to my eyes now. i wish i had known him better. But through your words i might be able to do just that.