Hand sign for I Love You in sand at the ocean which Dad loved ...

I had an epiphany today 8/10/2012...


I lost 2 people on July 3rd, 2012.  Not only did I lose my grandfather, but I lost my father also... 


Growing up seeing my family and friends off with their fathers wether it be for the weekend, evenings, or school events or sports...I had my grandfather at my side filling this void in my life that I saw happening around me.  As a child and even entering into into adulthood you don't understand that; you still think you are missing something...


When I got pregnant with my son and had trials and tribulations during pregnancy and parenthood did I understand and respect the position my grandparents played in my life and I no longer felt I was missing anything, but I had been a part of a fortunate few who have the support of grandparents who will do anything for not only their children, but their grandchildren as well.  Both of my grandparents stepped up and filled the void of my father who passed away when I was only a baby and was there for my mom and I as we dealt with this loss throughout our lives.       

Only now do I truly feel the loss of both a grandfather and a father...  


          

Few couples are lucky enough to share the deep love, admiration and mutual respect that my parents have always felt for each other.  Their romance has spanned six decades and survived almost every kind of calamity that eight wildly active and impulsive children can create.  We smashed their cars, emptied their wallets, pushed their sanity to the brink of complete upheaval and chaos and despite our efforts nothing has ever come close to shaking this incredible bond that they share.  Despite leading busy lives with both of them working full-time jobs and tending to all the other responsibilities that a family of this size requires, they have always found time to nurture their relationship away from the craziness of home to ensure that it remained strong and vital.  In doing so they have provided all of us with an incredible example of how to maintain a successful and loving marriage and to celebrate their last anniversary I put this video together called "Once In A Lifetime Love." 

http://youtu.be/bAF4__Dnrts

In 1952 my Dad was stationed in Seattle while serving with the U.S. Coast Guard.  During this time he was getting a pretty extensive introduction to Seattle nightlife and had begun frequenting a couple of taverns with a few of his friends.  The group eventually came up with the idea of starting a social club based loosely on the Three Musketeers story and involving the consumption of large quantities of beer.  This club came to be known as The Royal Order of Cardinals and my father was one of the four founding members.  The Terry Tavern in Seattle was chosen as their official meeting place.  The group designed and printed up their own membership cards (see the picture)  for all the new members and they devised a hilarious test that everyone had to pass to gain entrance into the club involving three rounds of drinking, lots of bizarre finger tapping on various parts of the body and table and a speech that the applicants had to make while drinking the beer where they saluted a figure known only as "the mighty Cardinal Puff."

Is was only recently that this story came to light in detail and we were all pretty entertained one Saturday afternoon by watching my father try to remember the whole routine.  The Royal Order of Cardinals eventually grew to over 400 members and it was special enough to my father all these years that he never took the membership card out of his billfold.  It's the same card that is in the picture.  Believe it or not, my mother also became a member and was actually the first female to pass the rigid test and gain entrance into the club.  Her card, however, is mysteriously missing.

Finally, it should also be mentioned that it was at this same time that my parents were offiifically courting and my father's interest and dedication to the Cardinals might have been the reason that my mother returned his engagement ring six times before deciding to keep it.  We think she made the right decision.


http://youtu.be/4Ow508LfYjo

Mom had me her last year of school. Papa use to come and baby sit me all the time when I was just a baby. He said we had a connection up until the day I left. This is me "pulling" him on the swings.

    My dad was born in 1932 in North Platte, Nebraska to Edward M. Atwood and his beautiful wife, Thelma (Heaston) Atwood.  The couple's marriage dissolved when my father was about three due to certain aspects of my grandfather's lifestyle that my grandma would no longer tolerate.   My grandfather left the family home at this time and shortly after that my grandmother took her two boys (my father and his older brother Eddie) and moved in with her parents in Omaha.  The boys were told at this time that their father had gone to another state to look for a job and this is what they continued to believe for many years after that.

     For the rest of his formulative years my father lived with the Heaston family and was lovingly nurtured not only by his maternal grandparents, but by his four uncles and the entire extended Heaston family.  Many of the  characteristics that would later define this wonderful man were cultivated during these years and can be largely attributed to the compassionate care and loving influence of the Heastons.   His father would continue to make an occasional appearance in his life, but never more than once or twice a year at best.  

    

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=cX6m1xNwmgY

My dedication song to my Grandfather ~ Mariah Carey's "One Sweet Day"

To my Grandfather, You and Grandma have been my rock. Not only were you my Grandfather, but you were my surrogate father also. I am lucky to have been born into such a family as yours, where the light is always on and a shoulder is always there.

I may not have always expressed how proud I was to have you as my Grandfather, father, and coach and the many rolls you played in both Justin's and my life, but I'm sure by now you feel all the love and lives you touched.

A lot of what you taught me on the softball field pertained to life, however I didn't realize it at the time....always believe in yourself; have faith and patience; not to be afraid of the ball! To go after life...it is only what you make it or how much you limit yourself or don't believe in yourself that will hold you back.

I know you're shining down on us from heaven probably enjoying some burnt toast and coffee with your mom : )

Love you always and forever Aimilee!