Remembering My Father-in-Law

Hello friends,

Thank you for stopping by to catch up with me. So much has happened in the weeks following my last post. The most poignant of all, was the passing of my dear father-in-law.  His influence was so significant in my life, I wanted to share more about this wonderful man, for those of you who didn't know him.

Exactly one month ago today, my father-in-law lost his battle with Glioblastoma, a terminal brain cancer, which he had been fighting for nearly two years.  He was and continues to be an inspiration to me, and to so many others. 

Miguel was a passionate man; overflowing with love and pride for his family.  He loved the outdoors.  Fishing and hunting were his favorite pastimes. Sadly, he was diagnosed with cancer in December, 2012, at the age of 56.  He embraced life and lived each day to the fullest.  Never did he dwell in sorrow or feel pity for his circumstance.  He battled on like a soldier, brave and hopeful, even on the darkest of days.  One could always find a smile on his face, and a kind word on his lips.  He was a loving husband, a wonderful father to his three children, a best friend to my husband, an affectionate grandfather, a kind and caring father-in-law to me. Miguel touched the lives of so many people.  He was friendly, funny, hard-working, and always wanting to help anyone in need.  He loved to talk and make new friends.  He laughed and joked with his nurses and caregivers.  He had a genuine spirit and a heart of gold.

I feel his absence daily; in the most mundane situations.  Everything reminds me of him...Foods and desserts he liked to eat, (he certainly wasn't picky), the empty chair beside my mother-in-law when she comes to visit, the absence of that quiet knock on the door when he stopped by for an unexpected visit, not seeing his car pull up in front of the house, our akin passion for gardening, the Rose of Sharon bush he gave me, now almost ready to blossom.  I could go on and on.

Although my father-in-law is no longer with us, his spirit lives on in my heart and in the hearts of all those who loved him.  Till we meet again...

God Looked Around His Garden

God looked around His garden
And found an empty place.
He then looked down upon the earth
And saw your tired face.
He put His arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God's garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.
He saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb,
So He closed your weary eyelids
And whispered "Peace be thine."
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn't go alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.