Today is a bittersweet day for Al and his family. Ten years ago today his dad passed away from a stroke. Over the last seven years I have seen Allen really heal from the passing of his dad. He can talk about it quite openly now and shares his emotions freely. I know he still misses his dad - there are times when it is harder than others. For example, during major life changes, I know he misses his dad and wishes he could ask his advice. I think he has felt his absence keenly at the births and blessings of our children, when he was ordained a High Priest and as he has made decisions about his education and career. He also misses his dad a lot at conference time when he thinks about attending many priesthood sessions with his dad over the years. We are both so grateful for the legacy he left for us. My dad grew up with Allen's dad and over the years I have heard many people (including my parents) share wonderful stories about his leadership, love and generosity. One time while living in CT, we visited with some friends from Arizona. They told about moving into a new home and how Allen's dad took a break from his law practice and came over and set up all the beds in the house - in his suit and tie. He left after working for a couple hours but just long enough to run to the Dairy Queen to pick up blizzards for the entire family. How can you not love a man like that? Even though I have never met my Father in Law, I know so much about him and love him and am so grateful for him.
On a lighter note, November 1 also officially marks the beginning of the holiday season for ME. I start really getting going on Christmas as soon as Halloween passes. I have a jump start this year and have most of the shopping done for my kids. Today Target had out almost all their Christmas stuff so I took advantage and bought paper and will begin wrapping this week. HOWEVER, this year I decided I didn't want to jump the gun and skip right over Thanksgiving. Al and I decided we really want to focus on gratitude during the month of
November. I made this jar and have different colored slips of paper for each member of the family. This month we will take time every night before dinner to reflect on what we are grateful for and write it on our slips. I'll share what we come up with at the end of the month.
As a little incentive (bribe) for the kids I also made these candy chains to countdown to turkey day. They'll get their treat after they share their daily gratitude. I'm planning to do both of these every year for our family.
HaPpY nOvEmBeR!!
9 comments:
Wow - that was a touching tribute to Allen's dad. When you get to meet him someday, it'll be like you already know him! And the gratitude jar is a super idea - we all need reminders of all we have to be grateful for.
I hope you write down the stories of Al's Dad to share in the future. And you always have the most amazing ideas. I love the gratitude jar!
What great ways to remember to be thankful! I think it's so nice that you take the time to remember Al's Dad, too. You kids should get to "know" him even though he passed before they arrived, maybe they met before comming to you!
What a great family tradition - I love it! And hats off to all of the wonderful dads out there. I'm sure Allen's dad is very proud of his family and the living legacy that you are.
i'm glad Jared has good memories of Allen's dad! :)
A fun variation of your jar (which I love btw): A few weeks ago for FHE we all drew 7 pictures of things we were thankful for and then each day we each pulled one out of the jar and made sure to incorporate that thing into our prayers. Just a fun reminder of our blessings and actually thanking HF for them. It's pretty funny when Jared and I were saying how we were thankful for toys and trampolines and things that Avery put in the jar...but a great reminder of all our blessings. We may need to do your jar idea now.
Cute, cute jar and great idea! Love it! Thanksgiving is actually one of my favorite holidays :-)
Sounds like Al's dad was a wonderful man!
how touching. My dad died almost 3 years ago and it is a HARD thing. Sounds like you are supporting Al in just the best way.
I love your jar. LOVE it. And the countdown chain! I'm so saving these ideas in my SOMEDAY file. Thanks!
Meeque,
I loved reading your tender tribute to Allen's dad. I only knew Gib one summer (1965) when dad and I worked on an Arizona multi-stake youth conference committee for which he was chair. We were all young; and BYU students; he was single and cute. Allen reminds me so much of him that it's quite uncanny!
As for the rest of you bloggish news--And you tell ME to slow down. HAH!! I think you'll remember an old saying, "That's like the pot calling the kettle black."
MOM
Sweetie! What a great post. I really love you. My dad was a great dad.
Love,
Al
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