I'll try to be brief.

Last week myself and 21 of my wife's side of the family took a vacation at a camp ground about 70 miles away situated on one of the many lakes around here.

We arrive on Saturday to find that the cabins are very nice but the lake is very green.




I didn't get around to putting the boat on the lift we rented until Sunday and after wading in the green slime to unjam it I finally got the lift to work properly.


Sunday afternoon was spent exploring the shallow lake and tubing. Unfortunately the lake was shallower in places the DNR map didn't show.


Oh well, it's nothing some $$$$ won't fix.

On Monday we get a call that my Father-in-law was sick and not doing so well. So my wife and her sister and brother go back home to visit him. By Monday night he is doing much better and my Mother-in law insists they come back and enjoy the rest of their vacation.

Tuesday morning at 3.00 A.M. we get the call from Mom that Dad had just died.

Later that day when we were all gathered for lunch with not a rain cloud in the sky we see a rainbow touching the lake.

We believe it was Dad coming to say goodbye. Being a proud Irishman the rainbow was very fitting.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were a wash with funeral arrangements, the visitation and finally the funeral on Friday.

On Friday night we all returned to the cabins to be together and to toast the Old Man around the camp fire.

On Saturday before we left the girls who had been given roses from atop Dads casket sprinkled petals on the lake.



It was a fitting end to the week.

Sorry for your loss.

-Bob

There were some lighter moments during the week.

Me hauling in a keeper.


Olympic tryouts.


My nieces kid flipping me off.


My wife, kids and I tackling a tough coarse.

Every dark cloud has a silver lining (and maybe a rainbow)...

Sorry to hear of y'alls loss. The rainbow and petals make for a very fitting farewell.

The kid flipping you off is terrific shot...might could win $10,000 if you got a video of it!

It looks like the family made the best of the situation. I thought the petals were a great tribute.

As far as little one flipping you off, it must be a Irish/English thing.

sorry to hear about your loss. i'm sure the vacation was mostly ruined, but it was good that everyone was already together. a similar thing happened to my family. my grandmother passed away on the morning of a huge party where family flew from around the country to be in florida for my grandparent's 70th wedding anniversary. my grandfather insisted on having the party that night anyway as a tribute to my grandmother and their marriage. and everyone was already on hand forthe funeral the next day. maybe it's no coincidence on the timing of their passing. condolences to your family.

Agreed Bruce it was nice that we were all together for support.

Sorry for your loss. Most parents live for their kids. I hope he passed with a sense of piece knowing his kids(family) were together.

As for the kid flip'n you off... you can't tell me that's the first family member to do that?

Add our condolences for your loss. That's always tough to handle. The rainbow and rose petals were a fitting tribute.

I'm very sorry also!

We had a vacation turn out very much the same way in '02, but without any of the lighter moments. Very hard stuff to deal with.

Sorry to hear of your loss, TEG. Thanks for sharing the pics, though. I think there's a rhythm or pattern to the way these family things happen. It's meaningful to think that the petals and rainbow were a part of that.

TEG - Sounds like your FIL left a loving family behind. A tribute to the man.

Semper Fi 75

Sorry to hear TEG... condolences to you and your family..
The rainbow and petals were a beautiful way to say goodbye.

My condolences to you and yours, TEG.