Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Hard To Put Into Words

Diana sent me a text this morning encouraging me to post an update. (What would we do without our kids?!) I love you girls!!

Last Thursday we all flew down to San Diego to attend what was supposed to be my nieces wedding, but ended up being her fiance's memorial.

She had it at the same place she was going to have the wedding, a beautiful park with a river running through it. The caterers still came, the photographer was there and she had new cakes made.





One of the saddest moments came when Steven's youngest daughter took the microphone and said that since she'd never be able to have a father-daughter dance with her dad, and Karlene wasn't able to dance with him, would she be willing to dance with her? So the two of them began slow dancing. Part way through my brother-in-law got up and finished the dance with them! 😭



Steven was a dump truck driver and the company he worked for put his name on the back of his truck. A bunch of drivers were there and Karlene had them all honk their horns for a few minutes in honor of him.



There were tears but there was also a lot of laughter and happy memories of a man who loved well. One woman got up and said that she met Steven when she was an addict. He found out where she was staying and continually brought her food and checked up on her. She said that she's been clean and sober now for 3 years, because of him. 

And I found out the reason they left him on life-support was because he was an organ donor. He saved multiple lives, even in his death.


It was a difficult day but I'm so glad we were all able to be there to support my niece. Hug your family and friends! Lives can change in an instant.

3 comments:

Billie Jo said...

My friend,

I am so very very sorry to read this sad news.
What a beautiful thing this young bride did, celebrating his life.
And what a loving aunt you are, that she reached out to you in those moments of need.
Prayers and love.

Rebecca Jo said...

oh my goodness... I have thought about this situation since your last post & wondered if he ever pulled through. i'm sure it helped having everyone come together. but man, how hard. That dance... just broke my heart.
Bless him & his family for giving the gift of life to others with his organs.
My heart just aches for your niece & his family. Cherish today - nothing is promised tomorrow

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I'm not sure what to say. I am sitting here bawling my eyes out. It looks like it was a lovely service for him and the dance is what got me crying. Life is just so difficult at times and I hate that part of life. Their lives will never be the same. Our promise of Heaven and seeing out loved ones again keeps us moving forward. ((HUGS)) to everyone!!