Don't Make Me Get Your Daddy

Jim is still very much a part of our lives. He may be in heaven, but he left behind his DNA in two sons and memories of his character that won’t be forgotten anytime soon. We joke about him and pull him into conversations quite often. He may not be here physically, but the laughter and joy that we get from making references to him makes him feel so real to us.

Derek and I were having particular fun this week. Often times, I will say jokingly when I know I need a little extra kick behind my statement, “Oh, don’t make me bring your daddy into this.” I said that last night to Derek as we were having some fun about something Derek said to me. Derek began to poke fun at me and I was pretending to be quite insulted and told him I was keeping a list because “there were a ton of things I needed to tell his daddy when I see him again.” Derek and I went back and forth with this for a quite while. He would say something and I would pretend to add it to my list. Even this morning, Derek called and kept the joke going…he said something and then finished my sentence for me...”Go ahead and add that to your list.” It was quite funny.

I always try to live with one foot in eternity and even jokes about their daddy help in this regard. It helps us as a family to remember that we will be reunited again one day and that heaven is a place not that far away. It is real and should be very present in our life. I still miss Jim deeply. However, I couldn’t be happier in the way God has allowed us to grieve in a healthy way and a way that keeps our perspective. I’m thankful for laughter and a fun-loving appreciation for Jim.