Happy Birthday Dad

I love my dad.  I am grateful for the many life lessons I learned from him and wish that I would have listened a little more to many that I ignored or hated.  While he was not perfect, he was loving to us all and I am so grateful to have had parents who I always knew loved me.  Dad and I definitely had our moments, but we also shared some great memories.  This picture in particular is very touching to me.  It was at the hospital near the end of his life and I got there very early hoping for some time alone with him.  We had it and we had two really great discussions.  I am quite sure he wouldn't be happy about this picture being posted, but it has become a favorite for me because of the discussions we had.

My favorite memories with my dad are of this beautiful place, Dip Vat.  We camped and came here a lot and we had really good times.  My dad was a great camper and I just loved going any time.

This was at his 80th birthday which happened to be at the same week as my husbands death but I loaded up and went to the party and even though some of my siblings expressed their negative opinions at me being there, I ended up being glad I went.  It was nice to visit and step away from the sad feelings I was experiencing.

This is at my son's wedding in 2008 and I was very surprised and pleased to see my dad there.  He doesn't look to happy but as I go through all my pictures, I am grateful for any pictures I find of my dad.  I don't have many but each is a treasure.

I hope my dad is having a happy birthday on the other side of the veil.  I love him and am grateful to have been raised by such a good man.  I am blessed.

Another year passes.

April 1st, or as some may say, April Fool's Day, or for me, the anniversary of my best friend and husband leaving this world to go to the other side of the veil day.  It has been many years now and sometimes it is still as if it were happening right now.  I almost never go anywhere with people on this day because I just never know how I am going to be emotionally and the slightest thing can just set me off and then it brings the world around me down.  So I am typically on my own to remember the wonderful memories we experienced in too short a time.  

This is when we took Ambur to the MTC so many years ago.  I am working diligently on getting all my pictures labeled and organized and was very pleased to find this one.  This was a really great day and it brought joy to my mind.

This is Kelly and his grandson, 'little' Colten.  He sure loved his Grandpa and we had some really great times together.  Of course now he is an adult and probably doesn't remember me at all, but I sure loved spending time with this guy.

I can't for the life of me figure out how to turn the pictures around on the blog, but this is s favorite because he just loved his dogs.  He loved them on his lap whenever we could get them to stay.

This is an article that was about Kelly's accident.  I am so grateful for his sister, Ruth, she is so kind to me and I really love her for her kindness.  Kelly loved her and it has been clear to me why ever since he passed away.

And of course me and kelly.  This picture was done by Sears.  They put a picture they took of me and blended it with a good one I had of Kelly and I have always really loved it.  I tried really hard today to just think of good memories and not be sad.  I just miss and love him so very much and I am blessed to be his wife and to have him for a friend.  It is just one more way Heavenly Father continues to show me how much he loves me/us.  I am grateful.