Grateful...

[Jami Johnson]

This time of year, I tend to reflect on my blessings more than usual. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful throughout the entire year, but something about Thanksgiving makes me think harder. ;)

Right now, I am more grateful than ever for life and family. Obvious things, I know. But, family has taken on a whole new meaning for me this past week. My dad unexpectedly died last week from a heart attack. He was diagnosed on Sunday with cancer and was gone on Tuesday. It was a real shocker. And even though, I miss him like crazy and my heart breaks for the loss my mom must feel, I am grateful he didn't suffer long. I am so grateful for the example and legacy he left behind. He left with no regrets. I am grateful for my incredible family who has drawn closer through this.

I am grateful that next week, my own little family will have the opportunity to pack up and move to be closer to family. I'm grateful our house sold and grateful for the new adventures that await. We absolutely love Oregon, but are happy to be moving back "home" to Utah. I'm grateful my children will get to know their cousins and grandparents better. A crazy time for us? Definitely! But, lots to be grateful for and I wouldn't have it any other way!!!

You can read my dad's obituary here. (http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/commercialappeal/obituary.aspx?n=robert-t-mcbride&pid=135827828) And here's a few pictures of him with my children. Oh my, how he loved his family!!! He is my hero!!!

The picture with him and Claire Bear was taken just last month when we saw him. I am grateful that I felt prompted at the last minute to go visit him. That was just a few days before he started feeling sick.

The one of him sledding was taken a couple years ago when he came to visit for Christmas and we went to spend some time in Sunriver. He was 72 years young and sledding with my little boy.

[susank]

Oh Jami - I'm sorry to hear about your father. You show great courage and strength in what must be a very difficult time. It sounds like you had a wonderful relationship with your father. You will always remember this.

I'm happy to hear you are looking forward to what lies ahead. Enjoy every day even if there are a few in the coming days that will likely be a little sad. I wish you peace and happiness.

Susan

[SharonK]

I am so sorry to hear this, your heart must be breaking. How lovely for you that you have such wonderful memories of your Father. Also what wonderful pictures they are. my heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

[Stitchn-Jeans]

Very sorry for your loss. The memories are what keeps the mind going. It is very hard to lose your parents especially around the holidays. My deepest sympathy.

Grace
Stitchn-Jeans

[grannyfranny]

jami, I am so sorry for the loss of your dad.
This is a memory time for me too. It was just last Nov.23rd that I lost my mom. On Thanksgiving day my husband and I were flying back here to Pennsylvania from Florida where my mother was. It was quite a week.
Interestingly, it was the little bit of money that my mother left that allowed me to buy my embroidery sewing machine. My sister kept telling me that mom would want me to have it. My mom was 99 years old, so she lived a long and good life. Funny, though, no matter how long our parents live we miss them terribly when they are gone.
My mother's health and mind were good right up to the end. A few days before she died she told my sister that she thought a man was in her room in the middle of the nigh. A voice, maybe my dad's, said "Ok Rose, it's time to go."
Sorry, that I am going on and on about my own loss. Again, may your memories give you comfort at this time.

Fran

[anpola]

Jami-I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I can tell your father was a wonderful man and that he's left a great legacy! How neat to have been able to serve a mission with your mom in Nigeria! They must have some wonderful stories. Is Skaggs Drug even still around? We had one of those in my little home town in Idaho. Good luck in Utah! How nice it will be for you to be close to family. You're in my prayers...

[artsiegirl]

Jami, I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of your father. I am thankful you were so wise to listen to that little voice telling you to make that trip home last month...how great to have those memories & photos for you and your children! Know that you are in my prayers!

[fun2sew]

Hugs Jami and Family!

Sorry about your lost I am glad you took that trip.. those pictures are a treasure!
I will be praying for your Family during this Holiday Season!

Dawn

[StitchinGrandma]

Jami ~ I am loving those pictures of your Dad with the kids. Those are definitely something your kids will treasure as they get older. I'm glad the house sold so you can move closer to home now because I'm sure that will be a relief for your Mom to know you are so much closer. The picture of your Dad sledding at that age reminds me of my own Grandfather about that very same age. He lived in SW Missouri in the Ozarks and directly behind his home was a huge hill that went down to an area more than twice the size of a football field. He owned a Ben Franklin Dime Store and used to bring the boxes home from the store when we were there for the holidays and would cut those boxes up and he would be in that back yard with all of his grandkids (all 11 of us) with the small amt. of snow they get down there once in awhile sliding down that hill with us on those boxes. I'm sure your kids will remember their Grandfather doing the very same thing with them for years as well.

You've been in my thoughts and I've wondered how the kids were handling all of this as well as you and David too, of course. With all I've been dealing with myself right now with one of my boys, I never realized that your Father died just four days or so before my own Mother. She died on November 14th, 1982 when my first son was only 2 months old and she was so proud of him. He was her first Grandchild and would lay on the couch holding him next to her but she was too weak to pick him up as she had been fighting cancer for 1-2 yrs at that time. She layed there with him next to her and would be smiling and crying at the same time saying how she wasn't going to see him grow up. It was SO hard to watch Jami and as sad as it is for your entire family, I can honestly say to you that while this was very unexpected you will have the peace knowing it was quick for him and he didn't have to suffer from that horrible cancer.

Big hugs to all of you.

[SewFanatic]

My prayers are with you and your family. It is a blessing you were able to spend time with your dad recently. While the loss is tremendous, at least he did not have to suffer. My heart goes out to your mom. It will be good for everyone for you to be closer to your family.

Best wishes on your move.
Sincere sympathy,
Wanda

[idesign]

Jami, I am so sorry to hear that your wonderful Father died. To have the lifelong strength of a close relationship is truly a gift. Now that you are all moving back home, your kids will build new memories with their grandparents, and I am sure your Mom will tell them a lot about their grandfather.

Carol

[craftmama]

Jami,
my thoughts and prayers are with you at this special time. Remember to show your kids pictures of their Grandfather and tell them stories you that you remember.

[ElaineR]

Jami, I am so sorry to hear about you losing your Dad. I loved the pictures, I think pictures show a lot, and he seems such a wonderful grandpa and father! Bless you and yours.
Elaine