Tribute to my ‘bonus’ grandchildren’s father

It is with a heavy heart that I post this message today. My wonderful bonus grandchildren’s father passed away this weekend from ALS. He was the most dedicated father I have ever met. Always the first to think up or join in on any fun activity that came along that involved his kids. He would drive in from another state to watch a ball game or attend any school function that involved his kids. They went hiking, mountain climbing, and many other activities as a loving family. It helped that the dad was the biggest ‘kid’ among them.

I was awarded admission into this amazing family group when my son married a sweet lady with two children. They blended well with few, if any, bumps along the way (that I didn’t even hear about as we live in different states.) If anyone wrote a script about how divorced parents should act and raise their children, these people would win the award. All three (my son, DIL, and X husband) joined together to make it happen without waves. The extended family of all sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. read the rule book and followed it. They are all amazing people.

The result of this dedication to put the children first is two adult children that are happy, educated, and well-adjusted and an extended family that is mourning the loss of a wonderful fun-loving dad that left an impression on everyone that had the privilege of knowing him. They come away knowing they had two sets of parents that love them.

ALS is a horrible disease that takes the lives of so many of our young, robust people. Please support the continuing effort to stamp out and control this disease.