Friday, August 16, 2019

One Year

August is an incredibly busy month of the year for our family.  Back to school for both boys, a very busy time of the year for my role as a school counselor and many extra events including 2 birthday's at the end of the month fill our calendars each year.

August is also the month that we lost my Dad and as today marks one year without him, I find it still incredibly hard at times to believe that we lost him so suddenly one year ago.  It is easy to get lost in the craziness of this month with all the demands from work with getting the school year started off and also balancing all the events/meetings/orientations that happen for the boys as well and many times I find myself just focusing on what is happening or needs to happen for the current day we are on only, but the realities of memories from this time last year are never far away from our hearts or minds.
July 2018 Birthday Celebrate with mom and his siblings
  Mixing in the familiar feelings of grief and reminders of what we were faced with a year ago today into this exciting but intense time of year has been hard.  But remembering that the love we all had for Dad and his love for us will never end is always something I come back to when I miss him the most. 
Christmas 2018 at Meagan's Bay... my Dad's favorite beach
Branson June 2018
 We have also really tried to focus on living life and honoring Dad by enjoying the things he loved.  My mom is truly an inspiring person through all of this.  She misses Dad dearly and naturally, has days that are  difficult.  But her faith through this past year dealing with this loss, caring for her own mother and other curve balls life has thrown her way while remaining active with her friends, groups and family has been amazing.  We are so thankful that we have her in our lives and she that she continues to be a source of strength for all of us. 
 One year.  During this past year, there have been margarita's in Dad's honor, walks on his favorite beach together at Christmas, tailgating and cheering at KSU Football games, many flowers planted and cared for that we know he would have loved, stories told, memories shared, laughter, big hugs and tears shed when we have just needed to cry. 
 One year without my dad.  But all of  the love still remains.  Love never ends.