Dear Dad,
 

Whew!  Man, what a last few days it has been down here on earth.  Of course you are the reason for most of the commotion, as I am sure that you know.  How does it feel to be able to breath again?  Do you miss your oxygen bottle yet?  How about the constant noise?  I tried to talk Mom into putting a small bottle of oxygen next to the casket and run it up into the casket.  Even though we both got a good laugh out of it, we decided not to do it. 

 

All though we put it off as long as we could, I think that all of the arrangements went well. Wednesday was a tough day for all.  Speaking of which there was a  couple of our friends that got a little bit more than they had bargained for.  Teresa and Jim just came up to see how you were doing.  Little did they know that they would be there for your last breath.  I must say that they were true troopers and stayed to the end.  You would have been impressed with their intestinal fortitude.  Speaking of which... Did you marry yourself the strongest woman in the world?  I say yes.  You want to talk about strength.  I just thought that I was strong.  When I seen Mom at the last moments of your life, I realized that I needed to step up. She made us all seem like "Nancys".  I know that you love her and did not want to put her through all that you did, but we really do not have a say in God's big plan 

 

Dulle Trimble did a fantastic job for us.  They were so nice and very helpful.  We were unable to pull off the "Irish Wake" but we did throw you a party after the funeral.  But hey, we got the pine box that you wanted.  I did not think that they had such a thing, but they did.  It did have a carpet cover on it but that was about it.  As a matter of fact, when all the pall bearers were waiting the morning of the funeral, I told them to make sure that the pulled up on the handles and not out, we did not know for sure that  the screws would hold.  I also told them that if they heard some creaking, do not worry, we thought that the handles would hold your weight.  Man, I crack myself up.

 

I am fairly sure that you were happy with my choices of men that I called on to carry you to your final resting place.  Yes, I know that they carried you more than that, but ...  Everyone of them seemed honored and happy to take on this task.  Lucky for them we got the lightest casket that we could. :)

 

Not that you wanted anybody to make a fuss, Karen did such a good job with the website and getting the information up so that people knew what was going on.  You would be impressed with the fact that she sucked it up and got what needed to be done... done. She is going to put a tribute up on the website.  Yes, I understand that you do not want anybody to go to the trouble.  To bad, you are not around anymore so you will just have to deal with some people gushing over you.  

 

We had a family viewing Friday morning.  You looked a lot better than you did on Wednesday, but it was not you.  You could tell that your spirit was gone.  But we all tried to focus on the fact that you were in a better place, but that did not keep us from crying.  You should be impressed with Kay and Mike.  We have all rallied around Mom to offer her as much strength as we could muster.  I am doing my best also, but have broke down a couple of times, albeit not in front of anybody for the most part.  I am my Father's son.

     

The visitation had about 300 people show up.  I thought it was a nice showing although I think that Christmas kept some people from being there.  You should have seen the collage that Kay and Mom put together.  Mostly Kay, I think that Mom provided most of the pictures and Kay put them together on poster board with dates and little captions.  I was really impressed and very proud of Kay and her effort.  I know that you two had your differences (Grumpa) but I know that you could not help but to be impressed with Kay and the great job that she did.  Everybody got a kick out of it.  Mostly because they were not used to seeing either one of us with hair.  It was a crowd pleaser.  

 

Mike has been a huge help also and a source of strength for all to draw from.  He helped plan the Celebration that took place after the Funeral.  I do not think that I could have got it done without his help and for that I will always be thankful.  Maybe someday I will be able to tell them how much I love them both and am proud to call them brother and sister. 

 

Saturday morning was one "gutkick" after another.  I believe the reality of it all was starting to hit home.  Mom promised herself that she would not cry... well that did not work out well for any of us. 

 

The service was absolutely beautiful.  Steve was our reader, and I could have not asked for a better person to have done that.  He was great.  Father Pat did a great job also.  Everybody seemed to be listening to his every word.  A lot of people spoke of how much they liked the service. 

 

The burial, was as good as a burial can be.  I know that you would have rather we just drop you in the ground and go on, but we paid our last respects and then we went to the celebration.  What a big hit that was.  There was about 80 people that came.  It was a great time and the food was great.  We had one of your favorites, fried chicken.  I had to dig a little bit but I did have a wing and thought about you.  It worked out that when Mom got there, I took her coat and gave her a scotch.  I believe that everybody enjoyed themselves and The Truman hotel was fantastic.  It really allowed everybody to relax and celebrate the life that was the Guru. 

 

As you have always said, Funerals are for the living.  Well, those of us left here on earth, the people that you have touched, are missing you something fierce.  Yes, we all know that your are in a better place and that does offer some comfort, but when we think of the fact that we are not ever going to be able to talk to you again, among other things, that pain is still sharp and hurts. 

 

As far as me, I am hanging in there.  I have a great group of friends that are looking after me and offering me any help that I need.  I appreciate it greatly.  I look forward to the day that I will wake up and feel rested. 

 

I have been looking after Mom the best I can.  Thanks for helping me with your strength at the times that I felt the weakest.  Mom, is worried about who is looking after me, I assured her that you were and for her not to worry.  If you get a chance, look in on her and see that she is doing all right.  She is such a great Woman and Mother and a lot stronger than she gives herself credit for.  I love her so much and try to let her know every day that I can.  We lean on each other to get through and will continue to as time goes by. 

 

Dad, I also wanted to thank you for everything that you have done for me through the years.  I know that we had our moments back in the shop days... Who, am I kidding, it was not just the shop days.  But, I would have not had it any other way.  I know that I never said it enough, but I hoped that my actions let you know that I love you very much and will miss you greatly. 

 

Take Care

    God Bless

        Love you

           Your loving son

               KRO