Yesterday, Thumblini's grandpa, my father, died unexpectedly. He was an avid participant in our search for the little one, and he followed our blog religiously. He was able to share in 4 glorious months with his granddaughter, and theirs was already a special relationship. He was there for her first (delayed) Christmas and he was present for her first birthday. But, no, he will not get to see her graduate Gymboree, or perform her first (fill-in-the-blank) recital. He won't get to watch her grow into a beautiful young woman, and she will, sadly, know him primarily from the multitude of stories we will tell, the avalanche of photographs and video, and the legion of friends who loved him.
He was my best friend (my best-longest, friend, anyway - Curlymom is tops).
- DD
35 comments:
Oh my gosh, DD. I am so, so sorry for your loss. Your family is in my thoughts as you work through this difficult time. He sounds like an amazing man.
I am so sorry . . .
Angela
Marshall,
We are heartbroken for you and for your loss. I'm so happy T got to meet your Dad, and he had the joy of rolling around the floor with her, like he was a youngster himself. We'll call you as soon as we can.
Love, Amanda and Preston and Madeline and Augie
I am so so sorry. How wonderful that she met him and had such a wonderful man in her life for those four months.
Marshall Jennifer and Aila,
I am so sorry for your loss and shocked. I am so happy he was able to spend time with Aila and take part in your process to become a family. It sounds like he was a wonderful dad, father in law and grandpa.
Your all in my thoughts and prayers during this time.
Sandi
We love you all and have been thinking of you constantly since talking with you yesterday. If there is anything we can offer form this end, or if there is something we can do there please let us know and we'll drop what we're doing and support you in any way we can.
Sara we are so sorry for your loss and send our sincerest condolences. It was so wonderful to meet you both in February.
Take Care of each other and pass the hugs around liberally. We send our love.
Steve, Kjersten, and Aitugan
DD & CM,
I am thinking of you and DD's Mom as you experience this loss.
I'm grateful for the short time T had with her grandfather. It certainly wasn't long enough, but she has a new guardian angel.
So glad he could experience her laughter, and she his.
Much love to you all,
AJ
DD: Heartfelt sympathies are being sent your way. We are so very sorry for your loss and are holding you and your family close in thought and prayer at this difficult time. We are thankful that T had the opportunity to spend time with her grandpa and the photos of them together will undoubtedly be cherished.
Love,
Julie, Aaron & Ben
Oh my goodness guys, I am so sorry. My prayers are with you and Cutie Pie.
Prayers goin out for you.
Stacey
I'm very sorry to hear of your father. I love the photo of him on the floor with his granddaughter ;-)
Shannon
I am so, so sorry for your loss. I can not even comprehend the magnitude of the hole this must leave. Thank goodness at the very least you have pictures that all of you will be able to treasure for the rest of your lives even though pictures can never be a substitute for the real thing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family members now and over the next several months. All my love.
I am glad that Thumblini got to meet her grandpa and that he got to meet her, but I wish their time together were not cut so short. I am so very sorry for your loss. You remain in our thoughts and prayers.
With deepest condolences,
John, Jenny, and Roxana
I am glad that Thumblini got to meet her grandpa and that he got to meet her, but I wish their time together were not cut so short. I am so very sorry for your loss. You remain in our thoughts and prayers.
With deepest condolences,
John, Jenny, and Roxana
So sorry to hear about your father. I lost my father 6 months ago (November 30, 2007) and he never got to see our children. it is very sad.
My thoughts are with you,
Catalina
My heart aches for you all, sending all our love and thoughts. Please call us if you need anything, we love you.
Jo, Dave, and Patrick
As you know, our hearts have been heavy since the moment we heard the news. Your dad was special and we are sad that Aila won't know him as we wish she would have.
Grandparents have so much to give! All of us will just have to keep his memory alive for her - and we will. Thank goodness he got to know her. We love you and will see you shortly to give you big hugs in person.
I am so sorry to hear about the sudden loss of your father, and little T's grandpa. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. I hope you are comforted in the wonderful memories and photos you have of him. Our thoughts are with you at this truly difficult time...
I am so very sorry for your loss, how wonderful that T got to play with her G-pa but that doesn't lessen the pain of wanting him to see all her other "firsts". Hugs to you both at this painful time.
Ann & family
DD and CM,
I am catching up on your blog and very saddened to read of not one, but two significant losses in as many weeks. Our hearts go out to you as you grieve.
Sara, Julian and Zoe
DD and CM,
I am catching up on your blog and very saddened to read of not one but two significant losses in as many weeks. Our hearts go out to you as you grieve.
Sara, Julian and Zoe.
DD, CM, and T,
I wept when I checked in with you today. We are so saddened and are sending hugs and more hugs to you.
You are in our prayers.
With love,
Shannon and Derick
Our heatfelt sympathies to you! Losing a parent is so difficult. I know this pain.
How wonderful that he was able to follow your journey and meet his granddaughter. He knew of your joy of being a parent and he the joy of being a grandfather to your daughter.
Big hugs to you!!
Eileen
DD and CM. I am so sorry to hear about this! thinking of you and your family.
I'm very very sorry to hear this sad news. Though my heart is warmed to see such a proud Grandfather with his lovely Granddaughter. It is wonderful that he was able to share in your journey and know his granddaughter albeit briefly. Our condolences.
DD, CM and T,
I am so sad for all of you. As you said, I am glad you have pictures of T meeting her grandpa, and that you have the memories that will make the stories live on forever! I didn't know him, of course, but he looks like a wonderful, happy man with a lot of love to share with all.
You continue to be in my prayers.
Kristen
I sm so very sorry and saddened to hear of the loss of your dad.
My thoughts & prayers are with you & your family at this very difficult time.............
May your beloved father rest in peace with the comforting thoughts of knowing his daughter and granddaughter are forever together and the special part he played in that.
My sincere sympathies on your loss.
Darlene
Oh, I am so sorry to hear this. He is now another loving grandpa, father, and husband lasso'ing all the angels to be T's guardian angel and yours.
I am so glad he was able to share in your lives and your adoption of your beautiful daughter, and so so so sorry it was shortlived.
Love to you and your family,
The Serra's
I am so sorry for your loss. It was wonderful that Grampa got to meet T. I lost both parents 3 1/2 years ago and know what an unexpected loss feels like. Remember the good times and cherish the wonderful relationship you had. Grampa will be with you always.
My thoughts and prayers are with you,
Jennifer
I am so sorry to hear about your unexpected loss.
Christy
So so sorry. Hugs to you.
I am so sorry for the loss of your dad, and hope that you are able to be comforted by memories during this hard time. You are in my thoughts.
Heidi Biglin
DD -
Reading this late and I hope you are well. Sending warm thoughts and prayers your way. I am truly sorry for your loss and hope peace finds you soon.
Kim
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I lost my father a little over 2 yrs ago, exactly one week before our Nisha was born in Kazakhstan - the world seems to works in mysterious ways. You are in our thoughts, and I am glad to know that you have so many caring friends around you, especially during this difficult time.
We are so very sorry for your losses. We are keeping your family in our thoughts, and we hope that in even the toughest of times, your fond memories bring your peace.
Karen & Glenn.
I'm so sorry for your loss. Glad that Thumblini got some time and cute photos with him. I'll be thinking of your both and I hope that you'll come to the Semey reunion!
Kristi
I am checking in with your blog and I am so sorry for your losses. I am sorry about your dad a dog, as both are family members with long histories and obviously much love.
I actually heard about your dad passing while I was in Kaz from Karen and Glenn but it was so difficult to get on the internet.
Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Both losses are sad and difficult (as you know we had to give away one of our cats once we got home for the safety of the cat - he's too loving and - well dumb - to stay away, and I miss him terribly).
May you find comfort knowing that your dad got to spend time with Thumblini.
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