Dear Dad...

Dear Dad,

First and foremost, I hate that you have been given this burden to bear. It just doesn’t seem fair that such a good man would be faced with such an ugly disease…actually, make that two ugly diseases. It makes me so angry, but in your words “it is what it is” and I will always admire the grace in which you’ve handled this all.

While I would change this all if I could, I am so incredibly thankful for the time our family has been given. We’ve all slowed down. We’ve all been given a fresh perspective on our lives. We’ve had conversations that have left us all feeling very loved and appreciated. That is a great gift you are leaving us with. I wish everyone could be as lucky as we have been.

I want to thank you for the incredible life you’ve given to Nik and I. I grew up in a home where I was told how much I was loved and how proud of me you and Mom both were. I was given everything a little girl could want. How many little girls get to have the Pudget Sound as their own personal swimming pool in their front yard and pony to ride in their backyard? How many little girls get to sail the British Virgin Islands? How many little girls get to grow up and be handed a college education?

But more much more importantly than these things, is the influence you had on my life. Even as a little girl I knew you had a stressful and time consuming job, but I never once felt like I wasn’t your priority. In the past few weeks I’ve been thinking back a lot to things like “Word of the Week”, Father/Daughter talks on the chair lift and “If you can read, you can do anything”. You set the bar high for me, but never expected me to figure it out on my own. You were there to push and ask the tough questions. You encouraged us to set goals and talked us through how we were going to get there. You stressed the importance of good choices and taught me valuable life lessons. I still laugh when I think of how mad I was at you when you insisted I give you the $2000 I had earned one summer by working at McDonalds so you could invest it. We had World War III in my bedroom over that money. But 7 years later that $2000 had become $5500 and bought me my first home.

I know I got my big heart and outgoing personality from Mom, but I think the core of who I am is you. My no nonsense, straightforward, “call it like you see it” approach to life comes from you. My strength of character and belief in standing up for what I believe in comes from you. I hate to say it, but I also think my impatience with people and at times harsh judgment may also come from you too…but who’s counting? I always think it is such a compliment when Mom tells me “You are your Father’s daughter!”

I’ve always thought our family has had such a solid foundation. Mom most definitely is the center of it all, but you are the quiet strength. Brian often tells me that he wants the family we are creating to be just like the one I had growing up. I think that is such a huge compliment to you and Mom.

I so admire the life you created for yourself and ultimately for us. You had the career that so many dream of, yet few have the guts to go after. You faced tough scrutiny and criticism but never waivered from your beliefs. You always stood firm. I have always admired that so much.

When the time comes for you to leave us, you can go knowing that Nik and I are happy and confident women because of you and Mom. We have great educations, great jobs and most importantly, married wonderful men who will take care of us the rest of our lives. I know you love Mike and Brian so much, and that makes Nik and I so happy. The four of us will also take great care of Mom for you. We will all be ok.

My only one real regret is that our baby girl won’t grow up knowing you. I hope to see some of you in her. Brian and I want you to know that we will be giving her the name of Sydney James in your honor. In the words of the Hospice Chaplain, “May she grow and prosper in your name.”

You are leaving a great legacy behind in Nik, Jackey Boy, Coop & I. I hope we continue to make you proud.

I love you so much and am so thankful for everything you’ve done for me. I hope that Brian and I are half the parents you and Mom are.

I will love you forever and miss you always,

Your Pumpkin Pie,
Bree