Just thinking about my dad. It was around this time 5 years ago I got a call from mom to go to the hospital and was entering the hospital room (even though there was a sign on his half closed door saying to see the nurse before entering the room). Mom was sitting next to dad with Libby behind her and their backs to me .... dad was lying flat on his back.... he was dead. I gasped.... Libby and mom turned around and took me away from dad where I just broke down. It was so unexpected. He was suppose to come home that day! You see.... he had been in and out of the hospital for over 4 years since we had almost lost him the first time.... on 1-1-00... when he just stopped breathing and didn't start on his own for 4 days. He had never entered a hospital his entire life until that day. After that he went in too many times to count... but always came home! God gave us 4 more years with him. A chance to tell him we loved him! A chance for his relationship with God to strengthen. A chance to show us how strong and amazing he was! A chance to love him more! Thank you God. The night he died ... none of us went in to see him. After all.... he was scheduled to come home the next day! But all us kids called him to tell him good night and all had a chance to tell him we loved him and hear him say he loved us too. Thank you God. Dad wasn't an overly affectionate Norwegian... but the last few years of his life we heard how much he loved us and we all knew. I miss him all the time. Even after 5 years. I miss him just as much today as I did back then. Sometimes it feels like 10 years... sometimes it feels like I just talked to him yesterday. Sometimes I worry I will forget what his voice sounded like.... his laugh. I will never forget his hands though. He had strong hands and was an amazing repair man. Dad went through alot the last four years of his life. He ended up losing both legs from when he lost circulation from lack of air in 2000.... but he never lost his sense of humor, his will to live, his patience, his kindness, or his faith. He left the bar high for us all to achieve.... to love unconditionally, to put others needs ahead of yourself, to have a servants heart, to love your wife (husband) always, show respect & understanding, and to always have a sense of humor because NOTHING is ever that bad. I miss my dad! I think I'll go spend some time with my mom this morning.When you’re young you automatically assume that you got all the TIME in the world but then death comes and you realize that you’re not guaranteed TIME. It brings to life so many sayings that people say like, “Tell them that you love them everyday cuz you may never get to say it again” or “Don’t go to bed mad cuz they may not be here tomorrow”. That saying TIME is valuable has never been more real to me than after I lost my dad. TIME is way more important than money or tangible things but yet we take it for granted. Please take it from me, treasure the TIME you have with your loved ones & if there are issues or problems make sure you work it out before you run out of TIME….
My dad had his favorite spot to sit at the table. He liked to sit where he could see all the comings and goings. He liked his little snacks close by too.
He loved his coffee! True Norwegian.... black and strong. Every Christmas he would start with the Bah-Humbug's.... but I think he really loved Christmas. Douglas has this shirt now.
All daddy's girls..... at his 50th wedding anniversary!
Dad loved his family......
These were the last family pictures we had taken together. Mom was getting a bit frustrated because the "boys" were misbehaving. lol!
There was nobody my dad loved more than my mom!!!! They were married for 56 years.
She was definitely the love of his life.
The last picture of them. And their baby, Snowball.
My dad LOVED the outdoors! Even if it was just to sit and do nothing.
Mostly he kept very busy though. He took great pride in keeping his yard looking nice, planting flowers and bushes, keeping it mowed, and loving every minute of it after he retired.
Dad was very proud of his sheds!
He will always be missed by us.....Dad's memorial page: http://leonardlangager.blogspot.com/
Thank you for bearing with me as I shared this morning. If you would like to share a comment, memory or thought about dad or for us... please do below. It would be appreciated!
10 comments:
Lots of love and hugs to all of you. Uncle Leonard was a great story teller too! I loved his sense of humor and his laugh! =)
xoxo-Amy
We had left Peever early that morning after a visit with Aunt Lorraine and Uncle Alvin. When we got to the motel room that night and checked our email is when we got the shocking news that Uncle Leonard had passed away. Shocking because every time he went to the hospital he always came back. We always admired Uncle Leonard because even as his health was deteriorating, he never complained and was always energetic. In the
dictionary under “handyman” the definition should have said “see Uncle Leonard” because there wasn’t anything he couldn’t repair or make work. He was always thinking of others, not himself. People thought he had finally given up that day. But we think he said “Lord, my friends and loved ones have gone through enough. It’s time for their suffering to end.” That’s the kind of man he was. We miss you Uncle Leonard and we love you.
Bob & Linda
Oh how we love our Daddy's:) This is so touching, precios sweet Man! Love to all and have a blessed day.
He is missed but he's still with us if we remember the way he was and try to be just a little like dad this world would be a better place, miss you dad your the only one with skin I got to see! Love and miss you, will see you again!! lanny.
I bet you'll be surprised who left this comment! I'll be praying for you guys today. Love you.
Andrew
What a sweet post about a sweet daddy.
It seems hard to believe 5 years have past since dad's passing away! When I get up in the morning and have my cup of coffee, I like going out on the porch - look up at the morning stars. I just know that the brightest one shines above from dad. Something to do with that twinkle in his eye, I guess....none the less I miss his voice, wisdom and humor and love.
Right now -- Dan and I must change a tire on his pickup and I just know he is laughing his butt off at us. You know how I get mad over such inconviences. Dad would take it in stride, no inconvience at all. With me it's drama....I only wish that I had half the patience he had. But, no doubt each of us aquired some of dad's good traits. Therefore, I am proud to be a Langager.
DOUG
Wow time fly's!! It's been two years since mom passed away and 15 years since Dad has been gone! Can't believe it. My thoughts are with you guy's.
rick rayment
i have so many memories of dad his stories his wisdom and humor.He never told you what to do he would just say well if i was doing it this is how i would do it,and he was usally right.so glad i was able to say i love you daddy some day i will get to say it again.love you from what's her name
I have dad's picture in my room in a bulldog frame and mom and dad in the front room. Dad is always in my heart. He is loved. That is why mom and dad are the GREAT ONES. Love you. RIta
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