Lunch dates

Steve Godwin - Hospice care

I first fell in love with Steve Godwin  when I was just 19.  40 years have come and gone since then and even after we divorced, I knew he was only a phone call away if I needed him.   Even after I married Bill and had 4 other children, Steve was part of our lives.  He would have my younger kids out to his house to swim.  He sent them Christmas gifts.  We could sit together at school and sports functions. We were friends.

When Bill died, it was Steve who called and offered his help.  It was Steve who went with me to clean out Bill’s garage and get his boat back to Boonville.  It was Steve who stood at my dad’s funeral, more than 20 years after we divorced to speak about what a good man my dad was.

He has been there since Day One for Andi  and Zac.  He has always loved them fiercely, supported them in every way and worked hard to make sure they were comfortable.

Steve has entered into hospice care, with only comfort measures as he lives out his final days. Now, our children will be doing for their dad what he has always done for them, supporting him and making sure he is comfortable.

No matter how much your mind knows that you want your daddy to not suffer anymore, your heart still wants to hold onto him.  I was able to talk to Steve this evening via FaceTime, where he repeatedly told me, “It’s OK, Perri. It’s gonna be alright.”  Steve is at peace with his life, his choice to stop medical treatment and he is ready for his pain to be done. 

He has loved his family and friends well and he is loved in return. 

Because they're dorks like that

We had our traditional Chinese Thanksgiving dinner, where I snapped these pictures of my kiddos. Of course, they took me quite literally when I said get closer together.

Zac and Sarah's wedding

Today, was Sarah and Zac’s wedding. Missing from the day was Sarah’s daughter, Maddy, who died almost four years ago, at the age of 11.

It is well known folklore if a cardinal visits you, it is someone visiting you from heaven. Literally moments before the ceremony was to begin, a bird flew into the building. Perched above the couple sat a red cardinal for the entire ceremony.

Zac & Sarah's wedding invitation

Conversation between Zac and Benjamin

Ben was watching a video and he told me it was about either a haunted house or a whorehouse. Zac was immediately alert and on the verge of dad rage and asked him what a whorehouse was. He said it's a very scary house with maybe vampires.

9 years without a dad

It doesn't even seem possible.  I remember every detail of the day he died as if it were yesterday.  Because he wouldn't want us to be sad, Jacob, Shaun and I went out to lunch and enjoyed a big dessert with ice cream.  Then, just to make sure we had our bases covered, went out for more ice cream later with Zac and Wes.  Andi was sick all day and even though she didn't feel like eating, I think Pappaw would have convinced her that ice cream would make her feel better.

I was talking to Ryan the other day and he told me that over Christmas break, while he was visiting his biological sister in Kentucky, he saw a dog that looked like Atticus. After talking to the owner, he discovered it WAS Atticus.  His sister lives in the town of the lady I gave Atticus to. Ryan did not know that, so I have no doubt he did indeed see Atticus.  That made my heart happy. 

Zac and Jacob

House renovations

All hands on deck as we redid both bathrooms and the small dining room into a game room. I really like the way it turned out. 

 Keegan was an amazing helper and put down the entire game room floor practically by himself.