I know it's only for a short while, but on February 17th one of my most favorite people in the world passed away. My cousin David was only 55 and fought Mesothelioma for almost four years. I got to visit him toward the end of October and knew that it would probably be the last time I would see him in this life. A few weeks ago my mom sent us an email saying that Dave started talking about one of his grandpa's on the other side that he was seeing him and that he was going to teach the angels to fly in formation (he was a skydive instructor). We knew then that his time was coming fast. I got the call the night he passed about 5 hours later. Even though we knew it was coming you still can't prepare for that moment that it's going to occur. We are deeply saddened and heartbroken.
On my dad's side of the family I only have two male cousins. They are both old enough to be my uncles and this one in particular was way more than a cousin. He made anyone he met feel like that. He gave the biggest, hardest, hugs that sometimes would hurt. He held on forever and made you feel like no-one else mattered when you were in the room. He'd pick me up as a little girl and flip me upside down while walking, he'd pull on my ears, chase me around, and was the big brother I didn't have growing up. While in town for his funeral I had a dream that he came to me, hugged me, told me he was ok, and then gave me a piggy back ride across the room and disappeared. When I shared this dream with his wife Fran she laughed, knowing that's something that Dave would do and to me it was a symbol that he could do it again!
His battle was long and courageous. At one point his doctor told him he was the longest living survivor that they had ever seen. I'm sure the loss wasn't easy for them either. I imagine as a doctor that you get attached to a patient who you see year after year and who gets more sick every time. I don't think I could do that!
Porter and I went with my parents to Lancaster for the funeral. It's the first time I've ever taken Porter to see my dad's family. My aunt and uncle from St. Louis were there as well as my sister Michelle from Maine. My aunt and uncle have never met any of my kids and Michelle has never met Porter. It was good to see everyone, but not for the reason we were there.
Porter was a trooper! He never cried on either of the car rides. The viewing was for three hours Tuesday night. We stayed the whole time. Thankfully the funeral home had a kid room with toys in it so we spent a lot of time in there. The funeral was the next day. It was beautiful out. The funeral was very emotional and went well. We followed in the procession to the graveside. There were more than 55 cars in the procession, the funeral home said it's the longest they've ever had. We arrived to many military personal as it was a full military burial. It was very emotional as they did the 21 gun salute, retired the flag on Dave's casket and gave it to his wife, and as one of them read a poem that was very fitting to my cousins life. Dave and Fran have been together since she was 15 years old, and were married for 33 years. I was glad to see she has such a huge support system as this will not be easy for her at all.
Dave, I love you! You are the best. I hope that I can be a sliver of the person you were. Life won't be the same without you. I'm glad to know that this isn't permanent and that some day we will be together forever. I'll never forget your hugs, your handshakes, your pet snakes....... I'll always remember the good example you set, the love you had for everyone, the kindness you showed. I'll cherish the love you showed to me forever. I'll never forget. Someday I maybe even will skydive, but I might save that for when you can be by my side......
The few days we were together for this were short. They were hard, they
were sad. They were filled with hope of what's to come! We left my aunt
joking. I told her that this isn't forever and that when we see him next
she'll have her 20 year old body back and will be skydiving with him by
her side. She looked at me and said, "Do I have to be 20? I think I was
pregnant then and I don't want to be pregnant." I told her I didn't
think she had to be pregnant, but that if she was it was the only place
that you can skydive while pregnant because she'd just keep falling,
there would be no ground to hit! She was laughing and it was a good note
to leave on!!!
My Aunt Yvonne (Dave's Mom) and I!
Dave's wife Fran and I. Porter too.
My cousin Rebekah (left), and Cousin Susan (right)
Cousin Katelyn (Left), Cousin Sabrina (Dave's sister), Cousin Jacob (left)
Aunt Yvonne (left), Aunt Jan, Uncle Lou
Porter hanging out!
This is Dave in one of his more than 1,000 jumps.
May you have many blue skies ahead of you Dave! Until we meet again....
