Dad, one whole year has come and gone. Why you had to go so soon, I will never know. We all miss and love you so much. Watching you go through cancer was heartbreaking for me. Yet, you were the one to comfort me!!
Im so proud to be your daughter, I hope I make you just as proud. I can feel your presence, you still find a way to speak to me every now and again, keep it up please?
My parents gave me dads business when he was forced into retirement. I felt nervous for taking over, yet my dad reassured me everything would be fine. He said to me, "Chris, don't compare yourself to me, you go in there and be you, and you will do great!" What an honor it was and always will be... Although some days might be harder than others, I honor him everyday at work. I get to hear stories about my dad from his customers/friends...Hundreds and hundreds of people I have heard from.. Not just his customers, but everyone who walked in the doors of his shop. How he welcomed everyone by that cute smile of his, greeting everyone by their first names. He was kind soul who never judged anyone and gave everyone and anyone a chance. He treated everyone with respect. His customers were his friends. Hundreds and hundreds of people knew him as "Barber Dan"....the guys in his chair miss the talks about family, travel, politics, current events and ofcourse the Chicago White Sox. I have tons of memories spending time at the barber shop as a young girl, all the way back when he sold baseball cards!!!.. His customers/friends were and still are loyal. His employees were loyal to him. He attracted so many different kinds of people. I have made some good friends at work because of "Barber Dan" The hardest worker I've ever known.
I remember our lil fishing date, dad.. Dad picked me up on a Monday, he drove us to a local pond, mid October of 2017, a gorgeous day. We sat, we talked, we laughed, I caught 18 bluegills, and the number was so high, because every time I caught one, he took off every fish and the bait kept coming. He found pleasure in the simple things..I didn't want that day to end. I wish we could go back to that day. A brave man who always stayed positive and never gave up hope.
He loved my mother, and my mother loved him, they we in love a lifetime. A prime example of a real man, father, grandpa...Giovana adored him, following him around the yard helping him do lawn work, putting together puzzles, playing cards, watching Rifleman, going to Sunday church service. They were great buddies and although I so deeply want him here with us now, I am so very thankful Giovana grew up with her grampa. I feel sad. I feel cheated, I feel angry, but he had to go. No more suffering, no more pain, just peace.
A humble man, generous, kind soul that touches your heart with his sweet smile. So I continue on is this life, as my dad would want, knowing I had a loving father and have a loving mother. So very thankful I have my mother who I wish I could take away all her pain. She continues to be strong. We all know that grief never leaves us, it takes us time. We will always hurt, we will always miss, we will always remember, we will always love you dad. I will carry you forever in my heart💜❤
It's been one year since God brought you home, pops. And although the void of you being gone from our lives is immense, your spirit lives on in our hearts everyday. You were a light that cannot be diminished, no matter the amount of time that passes.
You still challenge me daily and I am reminded of you often. I hope I always am. I see you in a beautiful garden, a breathtaking sunset. I'll hear you during rainstorms, or in the joyful noises at a baseball stadium. When I witness a good laugh or someone sings "Michelle my Belle" to me.
You left footprints on both the world and in the hearts of so many, which has always captivated me.
Your kindness and joy was unconditional, and you were as genuine as they come. Any act of love, there you were.
I am so grateful that God crafted you as he did and chose you as my dad. I always ache for more time with you, but instead choose to keep you alive in conversation, writing, and how I live; boldly and full of love.. I hope I make you as proud as you've made me. I love you, and I'll miss you dearly until it's my turn to come "home."
Ben, thank you so much for expressing so clearly how you feel, as I believe it is so similar to how many felt about dad. And to be able to draw upon your heart and mind and bring it all into honest and thoughtful words, though it may have been difficult, helps everyone, including me. I had sat at my computer and attempted to provide everyone with an update for today, this being a year since his passing, but for whatever reason, simply could not find the right words this time. You absolutely did, and now we have it recorded for all time. ~love, mom
Dad, as I write this I'm wondering how it could be a year since you've been gone.
You've moved on from this earth, but not from our hearts. I remember your last Thanksgiving you asked me to make you a plate. You wanted stuffing, your favorite part of the meal. I know you did this for us. You couldn't eat, but you took one small bite anyway. This was your way of saying "don't worry, I'll be ok" I'll never forget that even through your illness, that you exuded selflessness, patience, love and trust in the Lord
I remember bringing you home from the doctor and you told me how much you loved me, how much you loved all of your kids.
Every minute of every day you loved. You taught everyone you knew how to love through kindness. This is something you never forget, and it lives on. I talk to you every day through prayer, I love dad.
Love, Karen
Hello Ben - I just wanted to say that your words commemorating Dan were very beautiful and inspiring, and they stated perfectly the exceptional character of Dan as a Father, Husband, and an overall man of integrity. He is sorely missed!
Ben, you have many great memories of your dad as do many of us. You are correct when you say you are fortunate to have had such a great man as your father. He has given you a great deal to live up to. I for one know you will have no problem living up to his legacy.
We were just talking about Dan this evening....the love we felt and still feel for him. He was one of the best friends I everhad, or needed. He was always there to check up on me....still is... I've named a faithful Hummingbird after him because he peeks in the livingroom at me all the time as if to say "I'm okay, you be okay too". That would be a Dan Widner thing to do.
Im so proud to be your daughter, I hope I make you just as proud. I can feel your presence, you still find a way to speak to me every now and again, keep it up please?
My parents gave me dads business when he was forced into retirement. I felt nervous for taking over, yet my dad reassured me everything would be fine. He said to me, "Chris, don't compare yourself to me, you go in there and be you, and you will do great!" What an honor it was and always will be... Although some days might be harder than others, I honor him everyday at work. I get to hear stories about my dad from his customers/friends...Hundreds and hundreds of people I have heard from.. Not just his customers, but everyone who walked in the doors of his shop. How he welcomed everyone by that cute smile of his, greeting everyone by their first names. He was kind soul who never judged anyone and gave everyone and anyone a chance. He treated everyone with respect. His customers were his friends. Hundreds and hundreds of people knew him as "Barber Dan"....the guys in his chair miss the talks about family, travel, politics, current events and ofcourse the Chicago White Sox. I have tons of memories spending time at the barber shop as a young girl, all the way back when he sold baseball cards!!!.. His customers/friends were and still are loyal. His employees were loyal to him. He attracted so many different kinds of people. I have made some good friends at work because of "Barber Dan" The hardest worker I've ever known.
I remember our lil fishing date, dad.. Dad picked me up on a Monday, he drove us to a local pond, mid October of 2017, a gorgeous day. We sat, we talked, we laughed, I caught 18 bluegills, and the number was so high, because every time I caught one, he took off every fish and the bait kept coming. He found pleasure in the simple things..I didn't want that day to end. I wish we could go back to that day. A brave man who always stayed positive and never gave up hope.
He loved my mother, and my mother loved him, they we in love a lifetime. A prime example of a real man, father, grandpa...Giovana adored him, following him around the yard helping him do lawn work, putting together puzzles, playing cards, watching Rifleman, going to Sunday church service. They were great buddies and although I so deeply want him here with us now, I am so very thankful Giovana grew up with her grampa. I feel sad. I feel cheated, I feel angry, but he had to go. No more suffering, no more pain, just peace.
A humble man, generous, kind soul that touches your heart with his sweet smile. So I continue on is this life, as my dad would want, knowing I had a loving father and have a loving mother. So very thankful I have my mother who I wish I could take away all her pain. She continues to be strong. We all know that grief never leaves us, it takes us time. We will always hurt, we will always miss, we will always remember, we will always love you dad. I will carry you forever in my heart💜❤