I've been trying to update my blog for a week or so now, but every time I sit down to write, some chore or other responsibility pulls me away.  I wasn't really sure how I was going to start this anyway.  Or what I would say.  But I feel like I need to say something...

My life has changed.  My father has passed away.  November 13, Ashley and I left for VA for what was supposed to be my last fun girls-getaway weekend before the wedding.  Friday was great--we surprised Kristin while she was out to lunch (she had NO idea we were coming) with the help of her friend Troy.  We went out to dinner that night and rented a movie...we were up so late!  That night I also got a phone call from my mom that said my dad was in the ER for fluids and because his blood levels were off.  She said that it was just overnight for observation and he would likely be released in the morning.  Naturally I was concerned, but my mom sounded upbeat and positive, so I went on with my weekend.  Saturday we planned to go to a local park and then to do some shopping.  Rain (a downpour!) cut short our park trip so we headed to the mall a little earlier and then after a bit of shopping we headed home.  I hadn't heard from my mom about my dad, so I called.  They were still in the hospital and he wasn't being released, he was staying in another night.  I thought this was a little unusual, but I still didn't sense any "get home right now urgency" in my moms voice, so I continued my weekend.  We watched movies that night too and around 2am our time I got a phone call from the wife of my dad's best friend.  She said "You need to come home now.  Catch a direct flight and get home."  I think I went into shock...I didn't know what to do.  Ashley and Kristin took charge for me--they were amazing.  If I had to be away from my family during this time, then God made sure I was with the absolute best people to help me get through.  The girls prayed for me and my family,  called the airline and got me out on the first flight leaving just a few hours later, asked all the right questions (if there was anyone they could call, etc), and on only about 3 hours sleep dropped me off at the airport. I was on the phone with Mark (it was 3am his time, he couldn't sleep at all back in CA) when he got a call from my sister.  He clicked back over and I asked if everything was okay, he said she was going to call me right now and that he loves me.  It was then, sitting alone in the airport at 6am, that I got the phone call from my sister.  She said she was sorry, and that he was gone.  March 11, 1952 to November 16, 2008.  He was 56 years old and had just celebrated his 34th wedding anniversary to my mom a week before.  And I am so thankful to have been able to spend 31 amazing years with him.   

I got home around 745pm that night (about 8 hours later than my new flights were actually scheduled to land--it was a mess) and Mark picked me up and took me to my aunts house where my family was gathered.  After a lot of hugs, mom made me laugh when she said they figured the first thing grandma told dad when she saw him was that he needed a haircut, and then told him to get his clubs so they could play a round of golf.  lol.  Are there haircuts and golf in heaven?  I just don't know...lol. 

So I keep asking why.  Why while I was gone?  I don't know, and I probably won't understand for a long time (if ever).  But the same thing happened with my grandma (my dad's mom) about 8 years ago.  I was in San Diego at a Campus Crusade Christmas Conference.  The morning that I was scheduled to leave, my dad woke me up and said he was going to the hospital because my grandma had been admitted with chest pains.  I asked if I should stay home and he said no, that it was a routine procedure and they did angiograms all the time.  Three days later my dad called me and told me I needed to come home.  I left a few hours later and she was gone before I made it back to town.

In any case, we're doing okay.  Of course I took the next week off of work.  I was going to go back on Thursday, but after being on campus for a few minutes on Wednesday just to drop things off, I realized I wasn't strong enough yet--everything was just too fresh.  The next week, Thanksgiving was tough, but it was really nice to be able to spend it with family.  I haven't seen Jen in a couple weeks, or even talked to her since she picked up her boyfriend, but I imagine she is doing about the same as me.  I'm staying with mom right now, which is fun :-), and we both seem to have our moments.  It's only been 3 weeks, and I have had encouragement from so many people, and was told that healing is going to be a long process.  I'm back at work now and keeping busy with wedding, work, Christmas, and the new house.  Life goes on...and I miss my dad.

Okay, that's really all I can write about that for now...I'll write more in a bit and I have some pictures to post. :-)  Thanks for all your prayers. :-)