To every thing there is a season...

Josh and Dad - 2011

 Sometimes you can just be living your life, going through the routine of everything, stressing over the unimportant details.  And then you receive a phone call that is life changing.  Your husband’s father has passed away in a shocking, unexpected way.  Time seems to stop and speed up in that moment.  You know things will never be the same.   You have to tell your husband the news, the most difficult thing you’ve ever had to do.  You don’t know how your family will ever move past it.  You worry for your husband and your entire in-law family who you love like your own.  You are amazed at the amount of tears a person can cry and wonder if you will ever stop.  You wish you had listened to the prompting you had to write your father-in-law an email those last couple of weeks telling him how much you loved and appreciated him, but kept pushing if off thinking you’d do it later because you were too busy.  Then you cry some more.

I spent a lot of time looking at pictures of my sweet father-in-law and remembering his life before we traveled to California for the funeral.  The boys and I remembered fun times.  I'm going to let them pick whatever pictures they like and make them each their own photo albums to keep.  I'm glad I insisted on taking a lot of photos even though he hated having his picture taken!

Papa Big Dog and Samuel - 2007

Papa Big Dog and J.J. - 2011

Papa Big Dog and Trey - 2006

Bruce and JoAnn

There's something healing about attending the funeral of a loved one with all of your family and friends.  I don't think I really understood that until now.  

 

It was kind of like attending a big family reunion with one very important family member missing.  

My amazing MIL and her 8 children - May 9th, 2012

The Larsen Family - May 9th, 2012

Still though, we had some fun times together.  Trey actually celebrated his 7th birthday while we were there, and all of the cousins had a lot of fun together.  

Trey opening presents (yes, that's a Christmas gift bag!)

Larsen grandchildren - May 11th, 2012

We talked, ate, laughed, and wished we all lived closer to one another.  I just love this family.  They are amazing.  I couldn't ask for better in-laws.

I hope I can teach my boys to be the kind of man their "Papa Big Dog" was.  Kind, generous almost to a fault, with a true love of the scriptures and the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He didn't just talk the talk, he truly tried to help other people and never sought recognition for it.  I will truly miss him and I am so grateful for the knowledge that families can be together forever.   For now, I know that he is being taken care of.