Thursday, September 30, 2010

A Sad Day. . .

. . . for our family today. My father-in-law passed away suddenly this morning. He had been in declining health for about the past year, but had been somewhat stable for a while. Then this morning, while relaxing in his favorite recliner in his living room, he suddenly lost consciousness and despite all efforts from family members, paramedics and hospital emergency room doctors, he did not make it.

My husband called me at work this morning just hysterical with grief. So I left work and raced to the hospital, but unfortunately, he had already passed before we made it there. They let us go in and see him and it literally broke my heart to watch my husband tell his Daddy good-bye. And even though that was one of the hardest things I've ever had to endure, I was really glad that he got that chance to see his Daddy and tell him how much he loves him and will miss him.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time as they are waiting on some out of town family members to get here before finalizing any plans. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers. We are gonna need them during the next few days.

In light of what has happened today, hubby and I have decided not to do the craft show on Saturday. There is just too much going on right now and besides, we weren't completely finished making everything we wanted to take anyway. So all in all, it's not a bad thing. We want to be really prepared for our first show and not feel so rushed trying to complete all our projects.

My father-in-law was an ornery old coot who always told it like it was whether you wanted to hear it or not. You always knew where you stood with him and I had great respect for him. We should all strive to live more like he did. Although he didn't have much education (he was forced to quit school in the first grade to help out on the family farm), he knew right from wrong and he always tried to live life right. He was a hard worker and expected everybody else to be the same way. The stories he could tell! He would have me laughing like crazy every time we visited him. Although he will be greatly missed, we take comfort in knowing that he is no longer in pain and is reunited in Heaven with the love of his life, Gaynell. I'm sure they are having the time of their lives catching up on the last nine years right now!

Rest in peace, Poppaw Bowling. We love you!

Until next time. . .

36 comments:

  1. Sending love and hugs to you and yours Donna!!!

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  2. SO sorry to hear of your loss.
    My MIL passed away last year and though we all knew it was coming it didn't make the day any easier. Like you, the hardest part was watching my husband. It was so sad and heart breaking.
    My thoughts and prayers are with you all!

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  3. I am so sorry for the pain of loss you are feeling. I lost my Dad 4 months ago so I understand. Your description of him made him sound a lot like my Dad. I am sure I would have liked him.It will be a big loss for your family ofcurse but I am glad you can take some comfort in knowing he is with his great love.
    I will keep your family in my prayers.

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  4. Donna,
    Thoughtfuls and prayers coming your way for
    you (hubby)/ the family in the lose of your
    beloved Father-in-Law during this most
    difficult. Know that others are praying!!!

    Blessings
    Trish-Ladybug

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  5. I am so sorry for your loss! Your family will be in my prayers!

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  6. My sympathy to the family. I will pray for comfort and peace to come to your family.
    ★Linda★

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  7. I am so sorry to hear of your lose! I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers! It sounds like he was a wonderful man!! I am sure he will be missed greatly! I love honest and tell it like it is people not fake and what you see is what you get!! That is the way everyone should live, you are so right there! I try to live that way and sometimes people don't know how to take me, but thats ok it's just me being me and I don't know how to be anyone else! I hope you get to do your next craft show and I hope it will be perfect!! =)
    ((HUGS)) ~Janice

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  8. Your whole family will be in my thoughts in prayers during this very hard time.

    I pray that your husband and the whole family will find peace!

    My husband and I went through this 2 years ago so our hearts are broken for you both because we know what you are feeling right now.
    Keep the faith and stay strong for each other.

    Blessings,
    Tricia

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  9. Bless you and your family, Donna..

    Lynne
    dlynne172@yahoo.com

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  10. Donna~

    I am so sorry about your father-in-law. I will keep you and your entire family during this very difficult time.

    ~Dan~

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  11. Donna, I'm so sorry.
    I'm praying for your family...bless them all.
    Karen

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  12. Donna - Please accept our thoughts and prayers for your father-in-law and for your family in this time of great grief. We just lost my father-in-law last month, quite suddenly one morning too, and I know how hard it is to carry on. I hope the condolences of your blogging friends helps to ease your pain.
    ~Blessings~

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  13. So sorry to hear about your Father-in-law sweetie. You and the family are in my prayers to gain strength through this period of time and have peace. Just remember he is in a better place and is now watching over all of you. Big hugs.

    Laura

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  14. Donna,
    I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one!
    My thoughts & prayers are with your family.
    Judy

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  15. Will be praying for you and your family at this time. Nearly broke my heart just reading about your husband saying goodbye to his daddy!!!

    My father-in-law is not well and we don't know how long we will have him for. We may be in this same position before long.

    Praying for you,

    Lucy

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  16. I am so sorry I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers!

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  17. So very sorry for you and hubby's loss! I will keep you and your family in my prayers and thoughts!
    HUGS!
    Brenda

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  18. It is so hard to lose our parents. Keeping your family in my prayers.

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  19. I am so sorry for your loss Donna.
    What a wonderful tribute to your FIL and I am sure he would have been so honored by this.
    Take Care of yourself too,
    Hugs,
    Cindy

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  20. Donna, Sorry to hear of your family's loss. Prayers are with you and yours.
    Lois L.

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  21. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time also.

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  22. Donna my heart is breaking for you and your husband as well as the rest of his family. I know what its like loosing your father. It is a horrible pain that you aren't sure will ever go away. I will keep you all in prayer.
    Praying for strength and comfort in the days ahead.
    Hugs,
    AMY

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  23. Sympathy & Condolences to your family..prayers
    are on the way...

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  24. I am so very sorry for your loss.My thoughts and prayers will be with you ans your family.

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  25. Donna, I'm so sorry for your loss!!
    Prayers are with you and your family.
    Laura

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  26. I extend my sympathy to you! So sorry for your loss.
    Love,
    Marie

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  27. Donna, so sorry to hear of the loss of your father-in-law. My significant other's Dad passed away earlier this year so I can relate to being there when they say goodbye. My own Dad has been gone for 19 years, although it seems like yesterday. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. Stay strong for your husband.

    Sharon
    Starlight Primitives
    myfolkart@live.com

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  28. Donna, sorry to hear your sad news. Well keep you all in our prayers. Kay

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  29. Im so sorry to hear that. May God give you the grace to get through this. I know how hard it must be..
    Anne

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  30. Oh dear Donna! I am so sorry to here of this news! My heart goes out to your hubby and you and your family! Your FIL sounded like a fabulous guy!!

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  31. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband at this sad time.

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  32. I hope you all are doing ok Donna.
    Such a hard time I know.
    And thanks for your sweet note, you just made my day!
    Hugs,
    Cindy

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  33. As you can tell, I'm behind on my blog reading and just now seeing this. I'm so sorry Donna! How hard that must have been for you to see your husband tell his dad good bye, but like you said... I'm so glad he was able to do that. That helps with the grieving. What a great tribute you have given to Poppaw Bowling. He sounds like he was a wonderful man. I'm praying for your family.

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