Exactly two months ago today we said goodbye to my dad. While we all knew he was sick, and had been for a while, it just wasn’t apparent to us that he could so suddenly take a turn for the worst and it all happen so fast. I’m grateful that he was able to make his own decisions about his care and that I have a wonderful husband that quickly threw all three kids in the car and made the long drive (including a vomiting child and a closed down highway due to an accident) to be sure everyone was able to tell Boppa, in person, that they loved him. It was horrible and sad and scary but honestly he was at peace and ready to go to his eternal home. We weren’t ready, but he was.
Boppa was wonderful! He had all kinds of quirks that made for good ammunition when teasing him but he took it all in stride. Boppa loved a good game of bags (he kept a running score on his phone that to this day still shows how many times he beat me), a day out on the water and a large bowl of ice cream. I think if he had all three of those in one day and had his grandkids along side…..well, I think that might be his perfect day.
Bill wasn't my biological dad but you’d never know it. He loved me like his own and many would comment on how we looked similar ….or at least were both very tall. He was always willing to help (anyone really), he made sure to be at every important moment in my life, and he showed up in the biggest way possible when he went from Bill to Dad to Boppa. His generosity and kindness were obvious and he had a knack for finding the good in most any scenario. Bill loved my mom deeply and he showed it in his own little ways. Boppa Bill however adored my kids and they equally adored him back. I’m so happy that Zach, Gunnar and Hazel are all old enough to have made many lasting memories with him.
Now as I sit here watching my house get packed up for our move to NC, Boppa has been constantly on my mind. Not so much particular memories (although he and Nana did paint a large majority of the inside of this house for me) but rather his voice in my head. I can hear his expressions and the tone and inflections of comments I can imagine him saying as everything gets loaded into boxes and Scout and I sit watching nearby.
Our season of goodbyes continue, but we know that these next goodbyes, while still hard, will get better with time. And Boppa will be with us in spirit along the way. Plus, we know this big change of moving cross country has a lot of great things in store for our family! There is good to come!
