This Sunday is Father's Day. A day to appreciate the Daddy's in our lives. Some of us will give cards and gifts to our Dad's and spend the day grilling and enjoying the day with family. While others will reminisce on what little time they once had with their father. No matter how many years go by, after a loved one has passed, there are always those truly tough days for those of us left to keep their memory alive. Father's Day is one of them.
Personally, I am fortunate enough to have my father and the father of my child(and step-child) in my life every single day. I thank God for that. However, I struggle knowing that people that I love have been robbed of their father and grandfather.
Last weekend our kids, nieces, and many other people participated in Relay for Life. This was our first time participating in relay and raising money for the American Cancer Society. We signed up really late.. actually we signed up about 5 days before the event but we were able to raise $110!
I don't have to talk about how horrible of a disease Cancer is. We all know that Cancer sucks. I do want to talk about how it hits very close to home for my little family.
Just over four years ago, my best friend's father was taken from him, his son, and his family by this illness. At that time, I knew that my best friend had lost his father and would need me and others by his side to help him get through the coming days, weeks, and months. However, what I didn't know was that my daughter, who would be born just a little more than 3 years later, had just lost her Grandfather.
Personally, I am fortunate enough to have my father and the father of my child(and step-child) in my life every single day. I thank God for that. However, I struggle knowing that people that I love have been robbed of their father and grandfather.
Last weekend our kids, nieces, and many other people participated in Relay for Life. This was our first time participating in relay and raising money for the American Cancer Society. We signed up really late.. actually we signed up about 5 days before the event but we were able to raise $110!
I don't have to talk about how horrible of a disease Cancer is. We all know that Cancer sucks. I do want to talk about how it hits very close to home for my little family.
Just over four years ago, my best friend's father was taken from him, his son, and his family by this illness. At that time, I knew that my best friend had lost his father and would need me and others by his side to help him get through the coming days, weeks, and months. However, what I didn't know was that my daughter, who would be born just a little more than 3 years later, had just lost her Grandfather.
It brings tears to my eyes knowing that my daughter will never get to know her Papa Smith, never feel his arms wrapped around her, hear him "click" at her as he did at Brayden as a baby, or taste his AMAZING homemade BBQ sauce on some venison meat. But we will not let her grow up without his memory.
Brayden was just a baby when his Papa passed but he asks questions about him regularly. Pictures of his papa holding him are framed and hung in each of our rooms so that he will always know how much his Papa cared for him.
Prior to Relay for Life I overheard my husband ask Brayden what he was walking for. Brayden replied, "For people who have cancer."
"Do you know anyone who had cancer?" Kyle asked.
"My Papa." Brayden replied.
Although these children don't know the impact that they have had, we are so so SO proud of them for participating in such an event. We hope to continue to keep Kevin's memory alive and to help raise funds and awareness for this horrible disease that unfairly and untimely takes Papa's from their grandbabies.
Rest in Peace Kevin. Thank you for raising an amazing friend and man, who I now call my husband. Thank you for teaching him a father's love so that he can be the best dad that he can be to our children. Thank you for watching over us day in and day out.
Kyle, I love you. Thank you for being my best friend in the whole universe; for understanding me better than I understand myself. Thank you for being an amazing Daddy to our two beautiful kids; for always putting their needs ahead of your own. You have helped me to become a better and stronger person just by being here for me. Thank you. I love you to the moon and back.
Brayden was just a baby when his Papa passed but he asks questions about him regularly. Pictures of his papa holding him are framed and hung in each of our rooms so that he will always know how much his Papa cared for him.
Prior to Relay for Life I overheard my husband ask Brayden what he was walking for. Brayden replied, "For people who have cancer."
"Do you know anyone who had cancer?" Kyle asked.
"My Papa." Brayden replied.
Although these children don't know the impact that they have had, we are so so SO proud of them for participating in such an event. We hope to continue to keep Kevin's memory alive and to help raise funds and awareness for this horrible disease that unfairly and untimely takes Papa's from their grandbabies.
Rest in Peace Kevin. Thank you for raising an amazing friend and man, who I now call my husband. Thank you for teaching him a father's love so that he can be the best dad that he can be to our children. Thank you for watching over us day in and day out.
Kyle, I love you. Thank you for being my best friend in the whole universe; for understanding me better than I understand myself. Thank you for being an amazing Daddy to our two beautiful kids; for always putting their needs ahead of your own. You have helped me to become a better and stronger person just by being here for me. Thank you. I love you to the moon and back.