Honor Your Father and Mother

The title of this blog is "The Second Half" and deals with the second half of life.  Unfortunately, a part of that second half of life is parents who are getting older.  Actually, you could look at that as a fortunate, if you are still fortunate to have your parents in the second half.

Sadly, my Father in law Jack passed away this past week.  He had been sick for awhile, and everyone knew it was coming.  You are just never really prepared or ready to say goodbye.  We got the call early Friday morning, and left to meet Brett's siblings in St. Louis.  That way we were able to ride together to Springfield to be with their step Mom.

I decided at the last minute to go.  I wavered back and forth.  At 2:00 in the morning I didn't know whether to leave without knowing all the details were taken care of.  You know, those things like work, for us celebrate recovery, dogs.  But life isn't about the details is it?  It is about the people.

And for me this was a great lesson in reaching out and asking someone else for help.  Actually alot of someone's.  Thank you Lori, for stepping up and leading my Friday night group and doing food.  And all the other CR leaders that made it possible to leave at 3:00 AM.  To know it would be taken care of when we called later in the morning.  Thank you Jennifer, Douglas's, Smith's, and Mom and Gary for tag teaming to let our dogs out.

It was such a blessing to be with these 4 siblings and watch them lean on each other.  To be a part of this family who love and support each other.

After having lost my Dad 13 years ago it was strange to watch how some things are the same in every situation.  The first one is that strangeness you have of not knowing how to say it.  When you start to call people you don't know what to say.  Do you say "my Dad died, my Dad passed away, my Dad's gone'?  Then you have that roller coaster ride of emotions, one minute you are crying the next you are laughing and you wonder is it OK to laugh?  When the reality starts to sink in that he is gone.  Those first few weeks he is in your thoughts constantly, and you begin to wonder if it will be like that forever.

The other thing that is always the same is the out pouring of love. The love God showers down on us from other people in our lives.  As word started to get out everyone individually was showered with calls, texts, and facebook posts.  Tons of people, some who had never met Jack, but loved his kids.

Friends, neighbors, and co workers of Martha's immediately started bringing in food and coming by just to see if she was OK.  His care giver and the hospice nurse all came by just to share their condolences.  Neighbors were there promising support in the weeks ahead. Even random people we didn't know were a blessing.  We stopped at a local deli in Springfield to eat lunch Saturday.  One of the managers was talking with everyone while we were in line to order. When he found out we were all from Illinois he asked why we were in town.  Greg explained why we were there.  Later when we all had our food and were sitting down, that same manager came by the table and said, I just want to tell you all how sorry I am to hear about your Dad you have my condolences.

Friends, family, work associates, random people, God uses them all to let us know in our darkest times, He hasn't forgotten us.  He pours out His love and grace all around us.

Jack you will be greatly missed, but you would have been so proud of these four kids of yours.  The way they were there for each other, and for Martha.  They honored your name with love and respect at every turn.

Ephesians 6:2 "Honor your Father and Mother which is the first commandment with a promise."