My sweet and humble father died yesterday at 5:27 pm.  He was just as kind and patient in life as he was in his passing. He endured the last 5 months with a calm demeanor, steady wisdom and unassuming wit.  

As we felt challenged, he quietly persevered and never complained. He was the anchor to our waves; a grace and strength that balanced the rise and fall of our many emotions.

We come to the end of this chapter heartbroken yet relieved. We are grieving and thankful all at once.  Our hearts are both empty and full.  We feel lighter and heavier in the passing of a moment. Our loss is universal and yet deeply personal; simple and profound. 

We are navigating the unfamiliar with the compass of togetherness, support and love. Our empathy for the beauty and pain of the human condition have deepened beyond measure. We have chosen to let grief soften our hearts. We will allow vulnerability and compassion to transform  darkness to new light.

Although this chapter has closed, my dad will always be my greatest love in a story that never ends.