Today is a celebration. It may not feel that way due to our grief over losing dad, but it is. It’s a celebration of love—of mom and dad being together again after a day over seven years of being apart. And by apart, I mean only in terms of physically, for not a day went by during that time that dad wasn’t thinking about her, that he wasn’t loving her. This is a love that began some sixty years ago in middle school and didn’t miss a beat that entire time.
While they were different as individuals--one a bit funnier, with an incredible memory, the other a bit more protective and with one of the great laughs of all time--they were very similar--both came from decent sized Catholic families, were good kids, very good siblings, maintained many really long-lasting friendships, were incredible parents and I believe if the word doting hadn't been invented prior to them having grandchildren, it certainly would have been after that fact.
Mom and dad loved each other and especially loved being in each other’s company. As they got older, they tended to do a bit less with friends and relatives and I believe that at least a small part of that was a growing unwillingness to share the other. It was that they wanted to be in each other’s company, spending their time and life experiences with each other, to a level that they didn't really need to be with others.
As I look around I realize just how strong that impulse in them was as they were surrounded by so many fantastic people: mom with three sisters and a brother, and dad with a trio of brothers and two sisters, not to mention all of their wonderful spouses. The group of friends from high school and even further back that still see each other regularly. And while I don’t believe that that desire to be alone with each other was any less 50 years ago than it was a decade ago, they were willing to set it aside enough with the unconditional love that they had for Beth and myself to make sure that we grew up knowing all of you incredible people and we’re extremely grateful that they did.
Quite honestly, Beth and I could talk to you about both mom and dad for days on end--stories we've heard from their youth, their love of the zoo, of having breakfast out together, of doing whatever they could to make sure we were happy, the giddiness they shared over their grandchildren (I truly don't believe anybody has ever gotten to Flint from Westland quicker than the day Chase was born) and how much each of you meant to them, and so much more. And Beth and I will be more than happy to talk with anybody here about them any time any of you would like---but for today, while we’re all broken up, I hope we can all find some happiness in the knowledge that two people that the Lord seemingly made just for each other have been reunited in His presence.
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