“Eighty-six years… that’s a good, long life,” a friend remarked. Indeed, it is, yet it still feels too short. Dad’s cancer journey came to an end this morning. If there’s one thing that I’m thankful for, is that cancer gave us time to say goodbye.
But goodbyes are never easy. How fitting though, that the post that I wrote for the Chicago Tribune TribLocal was printed in today’s edition: It’s Not Easy to Say Goodbye.
We are gathering for the burial and memorial of Norman J. (That’s J as in Jesus, as he always said) Griffard this Saturday at one p.m. at the VFW Hall, 560 N. Phelps Street, Decatur, Michigan. There will be a memorial luncheon following the military salute service.
In lieu of flowers, donations would be greatly appreciated for the two organizations that have given selfless service:
Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan,Paw Paw Office
801 Hazen Street, Suite A
Paw Paw, MI 49079
560 N. Phelps Street
Decatur, Michigan 49045
Goodbye, Dad. Thanks for 45 years– I’m going to miss you.
Comments
19 responses to “My Dad’s Memorial, Norman Griffard”
Karen and Linda and family:
What a beautiful tribute to your father. We all shed a tear when our daddy dies. We are so very grateful to yours for his service to our country and for raising such a lovely family.
God Bless you, Susan and Bob Wojcik
Oak Cove Resort, Lawrence MI 49064
Karen, I’m so sorry to hear about your Dad. Sending thoughts and players your way. {hugs}
Dear Karen, Joe and Family: Our most sincere condolences for the loss of your beloved father/grandfather. I pray that you will be comforted by all the loving memories you have shared. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Please let me know if there is anything I can do…
Karen my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Loosing a parent is a profound experience! You have written a wonderful tribute above and you have handled this experience with grace and style.That’s a wonderful tribute to your father in itself!
Love,
Joann
Aunt Karen – this is beautifully written and makes me so grateful for the time we have spent with Grandpa. This two year battle has been so difficult but amazing at the same time, and it has opened my eyes to the gift that every day of life brings. I love you.
So sorry to hear of your Dads passing. He will surely be missed. Please tell your Mom and the rest of the family our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Kim and George and boys
What a beautiful tribute, Karen. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Karen,Great job on the memorial, I am sure he wouldve liked it. I know its tough right now but know that i am praying for you and your mom. Give her a hug for me.The pain will pass in time. Live everyday and remember that you are loved. I wish i knew your dad better, but what i do know is that he raised a great woman. Ciao bella
Karen, sorry to hear about your Dads passing as well. Our prayers and thoughts are with you, your Mom and your entire family. There is never enough time to say goodbye. Your tribute is beautiful. I know he will be missed.
My condolences. {hugs}
My condolences, Karen. Thanks for your lovely tribute.
Karen what a great tribute to a great dad, you and your family were very fortunate to have such a loving father. Your family is in our prayers from the Browne Clan of Christie Lake.
Linda and family,
Our thought and prayers are with you and your family.
To all of the Griffard Family,
Condolences to all of you. I know this must be a difficult time for you. Wanted to let you know you’re in our thoughts and prayers. Take care and hope to see you all soon.
Karen, I am so sorry for your loss. I am behind in reading and only now learned of your Dad’s passing. My heart goes out to you and your family. Big hugs!
[…] is simply a photo of life entwined, a daughter with her father’s hand in the days before he died it tells a thousand stories, […]
It has taken me a while to journey back to this page to thank you all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your comments and your support. Love you all!
[…] is simply a photo of life entwined, a daughter with her father's hand in the days before he died it tells a thousand stories, […]
It’s not often I log on to “Norman Griffard’s Memorial”, but here it is, Christmas, 2012. Dad’s favorite time of the year. I don’t know whether it was because he always got shortchanged with one present because his birthday fell on the 22nd, and we had to make one big, little gift, instead of two, but the greatest time of the year and his most favorite was, Christmas. His brother, Ray, my “Uncle Chick’s” birthday was a few days after Christmas. So, every year, they’d exchange birthday greetings. I can only fathom how my Uncle Chick must miss that annual phone call; one telling the other how they got gipped out of birthday presents since two kids growing up during the depression were probably lucky enough to receive just one present…on Christmas. I miss my dad so very much at Christmas time. It was such a special time of the year for him. I don’t know why, but when the first chance he got, he bought what we called back then, a “Record Player”. His biggest collection though Country, consisted of Christmas records. His favorite record became ours, year after year…”The Christmas Carolers”. By the Christmas Carolers. Imagine that, today! But, the songs were sung by young performers, singing traditional songs. While my dad was a glorifier of Christmas and all the fun things to do, he kind of flipped when it came to buying a special present for my mom each year. Every year it was…”here’s the money, go to Sears and get what your mom wants”. Thank God, that never fell on me…I would have bought the pair of shoes I wanted, not needed. Somehow, my older sister, Linda or my older brother, Dennis, managed to run out to Sears at River Oaks, a nearby mall, on Christmas Eve day, and wrap it up. Not that I thought my mom was fooled. I did take after someone smarter where the other parent thought they could be fooled.
It’s this Christmas, this Christmas Eve dad…every memory comes back with you and mom making it all special for us kids that were a handful. Yes, I know I was at the top of the list, but for the sake of argument, I was the middle child…I only knew what the two above and the two below taught me…so quit blaming me!
Merry Christmas…whatever that means when you’re gone, but not forgotten. Never will be. I can still see the wrinkles, I can still see that bright, infectious smile, I can still hear the “Biesers vs. Griffards vs Valle’s conversation that even the grandkids brought up…just merely mentioning the names and laughing like heck, getting you and mom in a tizzy.
Which brings me to mom…no, she’s not the same, and we can’t bring her back to what she was before you left us. But, she is doing a grand job of hiding her tears even though, sometimes they let loose at even the most unexpected, spontaneous moment, with no mention of your name. It’s just…she misses you. I miss you, too. The grandkids, more so.. But, you spent 63 years with mom, and I can’t imagine how much she misses you.
It’s two days after your birthday, and I just want to tell you, nothing has been the same since you left, except, as usual, Mom tries to make it seem it’s ok to try and make it “the same”.
How we all miss the anchor that left the boat. Mom’s the boat and now the anchor. We love you…please give me a sign, please!!! Even if it’s a rattle snake crossing my path! Love you, dad.