Guest Blogger - Kevin! "Promises bring new memories"

Hello all!  I have taken over the blog for a special post that I wanted to share with you.  First, I want to thank everyone for all the love, thoughts, and prayers sent our way.  It was overwhelming.  My dad was truly larger than life and loved by so many.

I wanted to share a personal story and moment that I had with my father.

As my dad's health was deteriorating, I made multiple trips back home to sit with him at the hospital. This was special time for us.  I held his hand, told him I loved him over and over and just talked.  I talked to him about everything and anything.  The problem I had was that it was just about the past or the present.  My dad needed to know about his future life and all the great things he was going to be a part of.  I made a promise to myself that on the next trip up, I was going to fill him in on a few things that I have not told anyone.

I flew up the following Monday as his prognosis worsened.  I rushed to the hospital eager to tell him a few things that he needed to know.  I sat next to him and he looked at me and whispered he loved me and gave me a fist bump.  I told him I loved him and also said, "Dad, I need to tell you a few things about your future.  I don't know when these things are going to happen, but I promise that it

will.  First, you are going to have another grand pup.  His or her name is going to be Cannoli and they will be a goldendoodle.  Second, you will have another grandchild one day.  We hope when we do get pregnant, it will be a girl.  Her name will be......" (obviously I can't spill the beans to the rest of you.  Only he knows.)  He looked at me and smiled and whispered, "Thank you for sharing.  I love you so much"  It was an amazing moment that I am so happy we had and I will never forget it.

Great story right?  Well, put away your tissues because now we get to explore my father's terrible sense of humor.  Recently I get a call from my wife that there is a group of Goldendoodles looking to be adopted.  They were the color and weight we were looking for and once again, needed good homes.  I was reluctant to go, but I just made a promise to my dad on his death bed about the future dog.  Surely, he was not expecting me to get one now was he?

The whole family makes the ride to see the puppies.  We show up to see the runt of the litter.  The foster mom tells us about her.  She mentions that they did not think this dog was going to live.  They said that she was one of the toughest fighters they have ever seen.  She would drag herself to her mother so she could get food and she never stopped fighting.  Now she was just as playful and full of energy as the rest of her siblings.  She was also the sweetest, most caring puppy.  All she wanted to do when she was not playing was to have her belly rubbed and snuggle.  Heather and I looked at each other and thought, an animal that never stops fighting and is filled with love and kindness, is this a sign?  To me, it was.  My dad fought cancer until the end and was one of the most loving, and caring out there.  How do we not adopt this pup? He is pretty much telling us that we need to, right?

Well dad, thanks.  We did adopt Cannoli and my promise of the future grand pup is here.  I know you would have loved her and would have wrestled her up and down the house and loved to take her potty.

To everyone else, we are happy to introduce Cannoli to the family.  She will be anywhere between 30-40lbs.  She still has to pass a few state tests before she can come home but we think she will be here right after Christmas.  We are looking forward to getting her and know that Grandpa would be beyond excited.

Thanks for spending time with me.  I am now turning this back over to Heather!  This is too much work! Oh and ps, we aren't pregnant.  Sorry mom......

  Old school BBall Picture

                                                                        Cannoli!!!!!!