I started this for dad last November, I thought I would say a final goodbye this December. 

I wanted to say thank you to everyone for all the prayers, cards, donations, food, support, and love during the last year. Every time I talk to dad about who wrote messages, called, or sent a card it brought him to tears. I think knowing how much he was loved made it easier for him to pass along to his next journey. Knowing that his family was going to be carried through this really tough time. 

I will say that the days are getting easier but the moments are still really hard. I find myself listening to a lot of 80-90's country music that dad and I would listen to on country gold Saturday night coming home from snowmobiling. Putting on that old Polaris shirt that smells like him but makes me laugh more because they all matched a certain sled. Seeing Will and Sam where his hats. Oh his hats. Someone had a dream about dad the other night and I find myself holding onto every word and try to understand it and hope he was sending me a message. I listen to Will and Sam as they talk to my uncle Jeff and I know they hope he will be around because they want our family to surround them. 

I am very fortunate to have him for 37 years of my life. I have had him for more years than some people have every known their parents. I also feel like I have joined the club of so many and I now know how much Uncles and aunt felt when my grandparents passed away. 

I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for taking this journey with us. Thank you for holding us in your prayers. Thank you for loving my dad as much as I loved him. 

We postponed dad's funeral to the spring or early summer due to covid. I am hoping to post information at the garage when we have a date and time. Please be on the look out. I am also enclosing my email address so if you are not in Saranac and want to attend you can reach out to me and I can put you on a list to contact. We will also be having a celebration of life in the later part of the summer and information on that will be shared as well. 

Email: srtedford@gmail.com

Thank you again, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Stay safe, 

Stephanie