My awesome, funny, clever, smart, generous, loving beloved dad passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2013. He grappled with pancreatic cancer for a good year and a half before it became too much.
Here he is with (almost) all of his grandkids in a photo taken this past summer (these were taken by Jennifer Ashby Photography in the Boise, ID area).
To say that I am sad would be such an understatement. And yet, as a good friend of mine who never knew her dad reminded me, I have been so lucky to have had such a wonderful dad for the past 37 years. He has been such an example of faith, duty, endurance, kindness, trust and, above all else, JOY. He did everything with joy and brought joy to everything.
I really wanted some reminders of him around my home so I decided to create a printable with his favorite quote… “Come what may and love it.” It comes from a talk by Joseph B. Wirthlin which you can read HERE if you’d like. It was exactly this kind of attitude of his that lead him to creating and finding JOY in everything. It’s also something I want to become better at doing. I’m hoping this little reminder in my kitchen will help. It coordinates well with my Pray printable too.
And since this is my blog and I want to share the awesomeness that is my dad with you I thought I’d post some fun pictures of him from the last little while. I really wish you could have known him.
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Landee. I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute to your dad. The pictures and his family are beautiful (and wonderful memories)
Leslie xo
I am so sorry for your loss. I can tell from your beautiful tribute that he was an awesome and special person. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I am truly sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved father. From what you have written about him, it seems like he was a wonderful man. I can’t imagine how your heart must grieve for him. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Beautiful pictures.
I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful family and tribute to your father. Praying for you in this difficult time.
Dear Landee, I’m so sorry for your loss. I send you all my affection and best desires. Kisses from Spain.
So sorry for your loss, and what a great way to honor his memory. Keep treasuring your sweet memories of him those memories will comfor you (ask me how I know). Hugs
oh my goodness… the go-cart picture is priceless!! not to sound too cheesy but, i think those of us that are lucky enough to know you are lucky enough to know a part of him too. love you!
Landee, your dad seemed to be so awesome. What a beautiful tribute to him and your family. God be with him and your whole family in this time of sorrow. He seemed truly loved! God bless.
Landee, I am so sorry for the loss of your dad. He was a great man and left a great legacy. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
I have several things to say: thank you for the great printable! What a marvelous talk and message. If he patterned his life after the concept of finding joy, and he was such a wonderful father, it makes me want to do the same – because look at the daughter he influenced! I want my kids to be great also!! Thank you for your inspiration even in sorrow.
Sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing the wonderful pictures and the printable.
So sorry for your loss, but What sweet memories and pictures. Love the printable too!
Sorry for your loss. Your dad sounded like a wonderful man, may your memories keep him alive in your heart.
linda
So very sorry about the passing of your dad.
http://dixie-n-dottie.blogspot.com/
I am so sorry for your loss. He sounds like an incredible man, father, grandpa, husband, friend, etc. 🙂 – Karen
Your dad does sound awesome! Sorry for your family’s loss. That first picture with the grandkids is sure a treasure … it’s beautiful!
Beautiful pictures. I am so sorry for your loss.
Lo siento mucho, quedate con los buenos recuerdos.
Un beso para ti y tu familia
ane
So sorry for your loss. What a beautiful way to remember a wonderful man. Praying the Lord comforts your family.
Heart heart heart the pictures. Best. Daddy. Ever. Love you Tiff.
So sorry to read about your father passing. With these beautiful pictures you have beautiful memories of your father and your family. Thank you for sharing them with us. And thank you for this free printable with one of my favorite quote, I just printed it and it’s going in a frame in my craft room.
I’m sorry for your loss. Beautiful family with beautiful memories… May God Bless!
Your pictures made me cry. . .again. . .but with tears of joy. They represent his personality perfectly. His life was all about family, love, service and yes– JOY. Thanks for sharing him with us. The sadness will fade as time goes by but you will never forget how much he meant to you and your children. Love you Tifferz. Aunt Carol
So sorry for the loss of your father.
So sorry. I know what it is like to lose a parent 🙁 you might consider writing your own I AM poem or having your kids write them as to keep as memory keepers 🙂 You can read mine here http://diaryofaschoolnurse.blogspot.com/2011/11/i-am-poem-on-grieving.html
Tiff, this post brought tears to my eyes, Im so sorry for your loss, he sounds like an amazing guy and grandpa. It is so hard to loose a parent. Any man that knows about quilting I know I would love! Beautiful family pictures.
Love the pictures. Love your words. My heart goes out to you and your family…
What an amazing guy with a perspective we can all learn from. I shed a few tears looking at your beautiful photos. Thank you for sharing ((hugs)) to you & your family.
Losing a parent is so hard. Eventually, the sharp pain of loss gives way to a dull ache. I still go to the cemetery and cry – and it’s been 11 years.
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad, Landee! Cancer is such a heart-wrenching disease. My husband had cancer and it’s emotionally and physically exhausting on the whole family. I am sad you had to go through that and hope your family has felt much peace and comfort. I love that quote by Elder Wirthlin – how beautiful that you can use your artistic talent to create a very sweet remembrance of your dad to keep his legacy living. Thank you for sharing your story and introducing us to your dad. He sounds like a wonderful man. Much love to you and your family. ♥
So sorry Landee. What beautiful pictures and memories you have!
Thanks for sharing another stunning printable with readers 🙂
I’m very sorry to hear about your wonderful father. I’m sure he will always be in your heart.
Landee, I’ve been on an internet-free phase. I think the last time I was on your site was when you posted about your dad’s cancer. At the time, I thought “I need to get her in touch with Annie.” We are from the same small town and our parents (my mom and her dad) graduated together in 1968. We’ve known each other our whole lives. Anyway, her mother, Kathy, died of pancreatic cancer 6.5 yrs ago. Annie is very active in the fight against it. I just happened on facebook tonight and saw a touching post Annie wrote about her mom and missing her and I immediately thought, “I have to go to ‘Landeesee and see how her dad is'” and here was this post to greet me. If it’s okay, I would like to send Annie to your site. She may be able to be a help. I know you are a woman of faith, as am I, and that, along with your family, will be your comfort. I just couldn’t help but think I may should send Annie your way. With heavy heart, Heather
Landee I am a new follower.. have only been a follower for a short time but I must say that my heart breaks for you. i am so very sorry to hear of your loss. Your father looked to be and sounds to have been a wonderful man full of life and fun. I sure hope your family and you are able to embrace his life and memories and smile everytime you think of him. He is upstairs with the big Guy now and he is probably hanging out with my grandpa who passed away May 1st of 2009. It has almost been 4 years now but it never gets any easier. But with that being said, you will become stronger and the legacy he left behind(you)will be able to become a legacy of your own to your children by sharing with them the ways and memories of your dad’s work of heart. =)
Hugs,
Jo
I’m so sorry for your loss. You have wonderful memories and you’re right that you have much to be grateful for, not that it makes saying goodbye any easier. The print is beautiful, both in sentiment and appearance.
I’m so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful family, and your friend was right….you were very blessed to have a amazing Dad!
I am so sorry for your loss. Your blog post is a beautiful tribute to your Dad.
This is a beautiful, touching post. I’m so sorry for your loss. Your dad sure looked like a really WONDERFUL guy!!
I’m so sorry for your loss!
I love this printable – it’s perfect. I can only access one size though… the 5×7. Any way to get the 16×20 on this printable?
I’m sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing a little about him. I lost my dad in 2011. Prayers your way..
I’m sorry for your loss. It looks like he had a wonderful life worth celebrating.
I’m so sorry for you and your families loss of a person so near and dear to you and so many others, I can only imagine. My thoughts and prayers are with you continually in this time. May God bless you and continue to do so in the generations. *hugs*
Oh gosh… I am so sorry for your loss. I am glad that you got that time to spend with him and that he gave such a legacy to you!
I know it has been quite a few years since your loss, but I just wanted to say thank you so much for the touching tribute to you father – I know he is looking down and smiling upon you and all of his posterity – I was looking for this quote, and it was wonderful to find it — now, not only did I print it off and hang it on my wall where I can see it every day — it will bring back memories of your wonderful father and make me smile — He sure is blessed — Thank you again – God Bless You and Your Family –