I’ve been looking forward to Tuesday night. I had bought my father and brother tickets to the Blackhawks game for Christmas; we’d be back in the building after all that COVID stuff. We haven’t always done it, but I think we can swing 1 Hawks game per year at the UC together. When I purchased the tickets almost 3 months ago, not once did I think there would be any type of conflict with the date; there would be nothing that could interrupt our evening. I was wrong.
Every day is a blessing. Every time I open my eyes each morning, I remind myself… no matter how tired I may be, no matter how bad the day may look ahead, I’d always prefer that vs the alternative. One day everything can change; it can happen that quick. I don’t know how many more examples of this I need to see; I already know. Yet, I was recently presented with another example of this, this time, closer to home. About a week back, while in church, I received a bunch of text messages from my sister, and my dad. My sister’s father-in-law had been rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it.
When I talked to her husband, I told him I’m not ready for this; I don’t think anybody is ever ready for losing a parent, especially when something so sudden happens. Sure, if they were 90+ years old, I’m sure you try to mentally prepare for it; 90+ is a good life. But still… I know every family is not the same, but my parents… Seeing my brother in law lose a parent, I couldn’t help but think about mine. I couldn’t even look at my parents after that final walkthrough at the funeral home. Death sucks…
How well did I know him? Well, as much as you know somebody that you see every so often. I met him way back when, just before they got married. I saw him more in the past 4 years or so, because they were local, and we would see each other at some of the family birthday parties. We always had nice conversations. There was the golf outing for my brother in law’s bachelor party… We made an old golf bag into a cooler, filled with ice and beer, sitting on the back of one of our carts. He couldn’t believe how much we drank on the course, even more so, cracked up at how many trees we watered. It was a blast. I do know his son, my sister’s husband, a little better. I know he has been great to my sister, and to their kids. I know he’s involved in all their sports activities, just like his dad was involved in his. Based on this information, and assuming his son turned out the way he is in large part because of his parents, I’d say he was a pretty good dude. I know he’ll be missed by his wife, his son, his grandkids, my sister, and the rest of the family.
Anyways, yeah, so going to the Hawks game took a back seat this time around. Of course, the Hawks kicked ass… scoring 8 goals, hat trick by Strome, first 6 point game ever from Patrick Kane… whole lot of singing… I’m sure they even passed out $100 bills to all in attendance… haha. But, there will be others… other events to attend together… unfortunately, no more events with Bob. RIP.
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