My Step-Dad

My step-dad passed away early this morning. And while we are heart-broken at the loss of this wonderful man, we were so fortunate to have known him and to have had him in our lives. He was a wonderful man with a huge heart, a mischievous smile and a great sense of humour. He was a widower when he married our Mom, herself a widow. He had nine grown children, Mom had three, plus three step-children. He became a much-loved grandparent to our children, most of whom were too young to remember their biological grand-father. Over the years, we all grew to love him very much and he became an important part of our lives. He was kind, loving and always willing to help out. Yesterday, as we sat and waited with him as he began the process of dying, our two families together in grief and love, it struck me that this dear, quiet, unassuming man had taught all of us - his children, step-children, grand-children and step-grandchildren - how to love and how to be a family and how, in the end, nothing matters but the love of family and friends. I am so happy that we had the good fortune of having him in our lives. Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to know a truly wonderful man . . . it's a good thing.