Dad's truck

The garage is almost clean. Going through all of this stuff I cannot even imagine what my Sister and others went through as they went through the house a few days after they passed. I cannot imagine walking in and seeing what they were last doing. Opening the fridge to find the steaks that my Dad had marinated only a few hours prior for dinner. I couldn't have done it.

Family and friends lent a helping hand this weekend as we sorted, tossed and gave away what might be garbage to some but were treasures to my Mom and Dad. Other then pictures and my Grandma's ring that my Mom wore everyday, my most cherished things I brought back to the house this weekend was her Christmas decorations. Her tree and organized ornaments and painted houses.....our stockings with our names engraved. It made me smile to see Aunt Kim, Mom's baby Sister try on my Mom's coats and look through her dresses and some of her paintings to take home. The more people that I can make smile through this tragedy the better.
And that is exactly what we did when we announced our surprise to my Uncle Jimmy, my Mom's brother. My Dad was a Ford man through and through....he retired only a year and 1/2 ago at the age of 50 years old. He had worked for Ford since 17 years old. Since we were young, after the mini-van stage, we always had SUV's and trucks and the last truck he had saw the most mileage. He made many, many trips to the lake, Cincinnati, Hilton head, Boston, and so much more. Like I have mentioned before, my Father had great relationships with everyone especially family. He was really close with my Mom's brother Jimmy and had made many trips to the lake with him for weekends of fishing. My Uncle's car hasn't been working well lately and instead of selling my Father's Ford F150, my Sister and I have decided to give it to my Uncle as a gift.
He was truly honored and taken back but I know my Dad would be thrilled we did this for him.
Mom and Dad were loved by so many and anything we can do to keep their memory alive and make someone happy while doing it-just feels right.
After many hours of cleaning, my Aunt Kim and her kids, my Cousin Jessica & Bob, Uncle Jimmy, Ted, Christina and I we headed to our local favorite Mexican restaurant where we treated everyone to lunch with the proceeds from selling my Dad's snow blower.

I never thought in a million years at age 29, I would be cleaning out my parents house with both of them gone and my brother in jail. I had the "young parents" out of my friends, they were going to live for another 40 years....but I know so clearly how precious life is and how quickly it can be taken away when you're least expecting it.

Missing you constantly and wishing you were here but I know you are watching down and are so proud of our strength.

Melissa