Grandpa Owl

my father & mother-in-law, Grandpa Owl (Al) and Grandma Joan ~

one of my all time favorite photos of them, from their many, many travels!

I hit the ground running when I recently returned from Utah. And before I even left home, life pulled the rug out from under us. I scrambled to help my husband leave town, filled my kids in on details for their week ahead, and then got ready to leave myself. Sheesh! So now that I'm home and things have calmed down for approximately 3 seconds, I finally have a chance to talk about our dear Grandpa Owl.

John's step-father Al (my father-in-law) passed away just a few days before I was to go help my cousin Shell recover from her surgery. Life - and death - are strange that way, aren't they. We never seem to know when either one will sneak up on us. We knew Al was not doing well, and were worried about his health and well being. Likewise, we were concerned for my mother-in-law Joan, who was trying so hard to take care of him.

When Joan called John and told him Al was suddenly gone..... we were equally relieved that he was able to pass away peacefully, and sorrowful that he was indeed gone. He had, of course, meant a great deal to us and to our three boys over all these years. He had been a silent yet supportive step-father to John from childhood. Together, Al and Joan were fun and lively grandparents to our boys, and were always kind and loving (and patient!) with them. They were always so good to us - supportive and encouraging, and most of all loving. We will always cherish our memories of Grandpa Owl, as he is perhaps gone, but never forgotten. And always loved :)