Yesterday my father-in-law took a tragic fall. This fall ended his life here on earth.
Like most writers, I write about things that inspire me. This can differ from day-to-day. This morning I think about a man who meant so much to so many. My father-in-law was a retired Airforce Chaplin who had a passion for airplanes and a deep love for God. He was a devoted husband, married to my mother-in-law for close to sixty years. He was a family man and loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren deeply.
My father-in-law was very involved with my children and whatever they had going on in their lives. He never missed one of their activities. They could count on him being at every soccer game, football game, basketball game, piano recital, lacrosse game, school play, and awards ceremony. He even managed to make it to every swim meet, which meant standing outside for five hours in extreme heat. It was a real act of love. He missed nothing!
Paw Paw, as my children call him, may have been eighty-two, but he looked and acted much younger. He was so full of life, savoring every moment. He worked out at the gym and walked three miles almost everyday. He really knew what it meant to let life in. Paw Paw never held a grudge and saw something positive in everyone that he encountered. In the eighteen years that I knew him, I never once heard him complain about anything. He always saw the light, no matter how dark a situation appeared.
Paw Paw,
We will miss your daily phone messages, almost always saying the same thing, ”Just checking.” We will miss you singing Louis Armstrong’s song, What a Wonderful World. We know that, to you, the words rang true- so true. We will miss your love for the holidays and your amazing train display around the Christmas tree. We will miss you stopping by every Halloween to see our kids in their costumes before rushing home to hand out candy in your neighborhood. We will miss our weekly visits to Y-Not Pizza. No matter how good the pizza- it just won’t be the same without you. We will miss watching you play with Daisy, our dog, in our front yard- she will miss you too. We will even miss your terrible jokes. We finally figured out that they were only funny because they had no punch line. You knew that all along, didn’t you?
We will miss so much! Thank you for being such an important part of our lives. We hope that you are up there flying airplanes in heaven. Every time that we see an airplane, we will think of you.
This one is for you, Paw Paw.
What a Wonderful World
I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom, for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world.
I see skies of blue, and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world.
The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces, of people going by I
see friends shaking hands, sayin’, “How do you do?”
They’re really sayin’, “I love you.”
I hear babies cryin’, I watch them grow
They’ll learn much more, than I’ll ever know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world.
Yes, I think to myself
What a wonderful world.
-Louis Armstrong What a Wonderful World
I’m so sorry to hear about this sad event in your family’s lives. What a Wonderful World is one of my all time favourites, and I’m guessing that your father-in-law had a good heart to make this one of his favourites too. It sounds as though he has left a legacy of good deeds. Lots of good memories. I’m very sorry for your loss.
What a Wonderful World- I love it too. Thank you, Anneli.
I’m so sorry for your loss. What a tragedy.
Thank you for your thoughts. Time has a way of healing pain and leaving lasting memories.
Kristin, I am sorry to hear of the loss your family is experiencing. The tribute you have started for him here is a testament to the life this man lead.
Since I started this blog, I have found some of the most loving and thoughtful people from all over the world. You are one of them. Thank you.
Kristin, I was saddened to hear of the tragic loss your family has suffered. The tribute you have written shows how much of an impact the man and his life had on you all. Hugs to you and family as you continue to remember him..
What a wonderful tribute to your father-in-law. Your children will have living memories of Paw Paw forever. Keep writing and keep them alive. May God’s Peace be with your family~
Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughts.
I am so, so sorry for your family’s loss. He sounds like the husband, father, and Grandpa everyone wanted to have, you were all indeed blessed. Beautiful eulogy!
We have been blessed. Thank you so much for your warm and loving words.
I’m very sorry for your loss, God’s bless you all
Thank you so much!
I am so sorry for your loss. Your love for him shines through in your beautiful tribute. May his soul rest in peace.
Madhu- Thank you!
What a lovely tribute to a life so well lived. What a sad loss for you all. Blessings to your father-in-law and to the whole family.
Blessings to you, Yaz. Thank you for the kind words.
So sorry to hear about your loss — peace to you and your family as you celebrate his life and grieve his loss… Namaste!
Todd, my blogging buddy, supporter, and educator-
Thank you for the kind words. The blogging community sure is a supportive bunch. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated. I have been blessed with great family and friends.
Beautiful words for a beautiful soul. So sorry for your loss, Kristen.
Your thoughts are much appreciated. Thank you.
Sorry to learn about your loss. He seemed to be a wonderful man who inspired all generations in the family. Blessings to you and your family.
He will be missed. Thank you so much for your warm thoughts. Blessings to you too.
A very nice tribute Kristin. We all will miss Mr. Cuthriell. I’m proud of you. Your brother, Bob.
Bob, Thank you so much. I am proud of you, too. I am so blessed to have such a terrific family. I appreciate your comments.
Aw, Kristin. I’m sorry for your loss. Sounds as if you were blessed to have such a wonderful human in your life!! He lives on in your memories, a legacy built with love; it’s the best kind. My heart will be with you and your family as you adjust. Your post is a beautiful tribute.
Your thoughts and kind words are appreciated. My thoughts are with you, too. I know that you and your community are grieving a tragic loss.
Kristen, what a wonderful tribute to Billy – Love and prayers to you and your family. Mrs. U
Thank you. We miss you all and hope that you are doing well.
Kristen, what a wonderful tribute to Bill. Love and prayers to you and your family. Mrs. U.
So sorry for your loss. What a wonderful man.
He really did love life and will be missed. Thank you for your thoughts.
Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.
Thank you, Hanna.
My dear Kristin,
I am so sorry for your loss. What a very dear and wonderful man your father-in-law was. I am touched by the special closeness all of you obviously shared with him. This tribute touched me deeply and my thoughts are with you and your family during this time. A hug to you, Sharon
I really appreciate your kind words. Thank you so much.
Kristin,
What a beautiful and heartfelt story about super guy. So sorry for your, and your family’s, loss. It is probably really tough for the grandkids, regardless of their age.
So I guess Satchmo’s song is meaningful to you, or was to your father-in-law. When my daughter was married a couple of years ago, she asked me to recommend a song for the father daughter dance at the reception. She had a couple in mind, but choose to use my suggestion which was, “What A Wonderful World.” I was pleased that she did. And so we danced to a wonderful new world.
I’ve often thought that the song, as well as a number of others, is well placed at both beginnings and endings in life. Ironic, isn’t it.
I send you and your family good wishes and prayers. Peace be with you.
I’ve decided that the song works for the middles in life also, so I hear that beautiful voice singing those beautiful words every time my daughter calls my phone, which is usually three to five times a day, as Louie’s song is her dedicated ring tone, I love it.
Namaste.
Paul
It has been a difficult week. Your comments made my day! Thank you so much. I am smiling!
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Blessings! Appreciate your visit to my blog. Yours is inviting and will check it out.