Graceful Summer: Papa Day
>> Friday, July 20, 2012 –
comfort,
graceful summer,
grandparents,
grief,
joy,
small moments
Last February just after my father-in-law Jon died, Brad and
the boys came up with an idea: every year on June 23, Jon’s birthday, we’d
celebrate Papa Day.
While my personal childrearing philosophy has always
revolved around the “one activity per day” theory, Jon’s was the opposite. His
sole ambition when the grandkids were in town was to pack in as much fun as
possible, from dawn till dusk…and beyond. And so that’s exactly what the four of us did on June 23. We golfed. We ate junk food. We watched movies. We ate more junk food. We hiked and lit sparklers and went out for burgers and fries. We told stories in the blanket fort and tickled and chased and wrestled to exhaustion.
I won’t say Jon’s birthday this year wasn’t a hard day. The hours unfolded bittersweet, with a heart heaviness none of us could quite shake. But yet, as we played miniature golf, sipped root beer floats and tucked into the blanket fort with flashlights in hand, there was comfort in celebrating the Papa we love and miss so much.
Do you have any special ways of celebrating your loved ones? I'd love to hear.
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Posts
What a wonderful way to remember, Michelle. This actualy made me teary. Love the way you are intentional with your kids. And I'm praying for you as you head out to She Freaks.
Michelle, I just love this idea and never thought of this before. I think I will add this to our traditions too. Great idea.
I love the idea of celebrating a Papa day! My FIL passed away several years ago. He was a wonderful man who should be celebrated, too. :)
Michelle--my father in law Paul passed away on the fourth of July in 2010. Our children and grandchildren will always look at that day as Grandpa's Independence Day.
What beautiful memories you are creating for your children in remembrance.
What a wonderful idea! Happy Papa Day!
What a sweet way to remember a beloved family member. Happy Papa Day!
Oh Michelle, this made me cry. My kids miss Jon, Janice, and my dad so much and this is such a wonderful idea to help them remember them. Great idea, hope you don't mind if I steal it. ~L
What a beautiful thing to do! I never would have thought of anything remotely like that.
This is a beautiful idea. Such a lovely way to honor a man you loved so much.
Oh, Michelle. This made me cry. But what a good thing, to remember him in this way...
Thanks, Shelly (and She Speaks is going great!).
Yup, Brad and the boys came up with it, and it really did work well. It eased the sorrow a bit.
Absolutely - it's never too late to start a tradition like this. Thanks for stopping by, Mindy.
Jody, I'm so sorry about the loss of your father-in-law, Paul. I'm so glad, though, that you are able to celebrate the gift of his life and love -- and with fireworks even...now that's the way to celebrate!
Thanks, Nancy.
Thanks Joe - it was a good day indeed.
It was really sweet - I think we have a wonderful new tradition that's begun here.
Please, do - it really did take some of the ache out of that day. We miss your dad, too, Lara - I think about Tom a lot.
I'm not sure who thought of it first, the kids or Brad. But yeah, it was good.
Thanks, Erin.
I know, I know...it was bittersweet indeed. But he would have loved that we celebrated him in this way - I suspect Jon was smiling down from Heaven.
Michelle, I love this thoughtful and fun way you are teaching your boys to remember, grieve and honor their grandpa. I am so sorry again for your loss, especially for your boys at such a young age.