We lost my father-in-law last week.
He had been battling cancer for a very, very long time. Nearly five years in fact, years longer than anyone ever expected him to do so. He was living with his cancer for so long that we all expected him to just keep on going. But last Christmas he was tired, very tired and the cancer was spreading. We started to think that there might be an end to it soon but not this soon. We thought there was still time for maple syrup making, taking the boys out for walks in the fields, maybe some making of this and some fixing of that. We have been caught off guard by his death and the last week has been so, so hard.
My father-in-law was the ultimate, and I do mean ultimate DIYer. Although I chuckle at that as I write it because he would probably give me a bit of a scowl or a smirk at that one and say, “DIYer? Hmfp…” But he was, and I was endlessly impressed with his ability to make and fix anything. I was saying to the Skeptic that he makes the DIYer’s on Make look like kindergartners (no offense, Little Man). It didn’t matter if it was setting up his own dark room, buying a grader to smooth out the driveway on the farm, or installing solar panels on the camper, he did it. He fixed anything that was broken, and if he couldn’t get that part he made it himself. And the research he did….right down to his own cancer, he researched everything inside and out and was one of the most knowledgeable people I’ve known. The book of knowledge that left with him is immense.
He leaves behind him a farm full of WIP’s. Projects we are so sad to see he was never able to get to, but should have been able to because 68 is too young to go. One of the last big projects he was working on, back when he was first diagnosed, was fixing up an airplane and building his own runway out in the back field. But chemo takes a lot out of a person, especially when it goes on for years. And so the airplane sits in the shed and we miss him terribly.
This has taken a lot out of us. All the Skeptic and I can keep saying is that we feel like we’ve been hit by a large and fast moving truck. Overwhelmed would be putting it mildly. So I’m taking a blogging break for awhile. Just a few weeks or so and I’ll be back with the birthday updates, including the bear and the roundhouse and whatever I manage to scramble together for Little Man this week, as well as my annual contest. I just need some room to breathe here, and writing about socks and vests just doesn’t feel right.
Knittymama 
Oh, I’m so sorry for your loss. Your father-in-law sounds like a wonderful, creative man. My heart goes out to you.
Oh I’m so sorry, Knittymama. Take good care…
I’m very, very sorry to hear about your FIL. *BIG HUG* My thoughts are with all of you!
My deepest sympathy to your husband and your family. My own father is much like that and I know I would feel the same, take all the time you need to grieve.
I’m so sorry. Your FIL sounds like a lovely man.
So very sorry. Take all the time you need–we’ll still be here when you’re ready to come back.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Take all the time you need.
Big hugs to your family. I’m so sorry for your loss. He sounds like a great guy, it’s a shame he’s gone so young.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Peace to you and your whole family.
So sorry for your loss.
When we lost my dad in ’97 (he was 60), I always compared it to feeling like the house of my life had just been hit by a huge storm and everything that surrounded and protected me had been blown away. What was left were the foundations he had built. I was still standing, but left so vulnerable.
Take the time you need.
He sounds like a terrific guy; I’m so sorry for your loss.
Hugs to all of your boys and to you. How hard it must be to lose someone so special to you all.
— Becka
My thoughts go out to all of you – I know how hard it is to lose someone you love. Take all the time you need to rest, and take care.
My thoughts are with you and your family.
My boyfriend just lost his father last week, so I understand what you’re going through. It has been a strange and difficult week to go through.
Take care.
Sorry about your loss
So sorry for your loss, and yet so thankful that your family had such a wonderful influence for the years that you did. You have all been blessed by him in so many ways, I know you know that.
Hang in there, and take all the time you need, one day at a time.
Hugs,
ali
I’m so sorry to hear about your father in law. I’ll be thinking about you and your family.
My sympathy to you and your family. My father-in-law too just passed away abruptly in March and I’m sharing your tears for the loss of another good soul.
I’m so sorry to hear about your father-in-law. He sounded like a really special person.
My deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. I am thinking of you all.