One of the perks of marrying your son is to have had you as a father-in-law, Rod. Movies are made about men like you--starring Robert Duvall or Robert Redford!--men who grew wise from a young, impetuous life of unwise choices, and then share that hard-won wisdom with others. I'll miss our scrabble games--although I never won! I'll miss our walks,I'll miss your endless supply of stories. Oh, how I loved your stories! God bless and keep you, Rod. Watch over us if you can. I know you'd want to.
Of all the hundreds of wonderful memories, I think the one I will cherish the most is a very simple one, Dad.
We're at the dining table in your lovely home in palisade. Our wives are sitting with us and we've just finished a nice dinner, or a rousing game of scrabble. (which you almost always won!)
Conversation is free flowing and wide-ranging, with each of us taking turns for a story, or a thought, or a joke. Dessert and coffee appear. The time flows like water; slow, gentle, measured.
I think we all wished it would go on forever. Now I realize it will, because as you taught me, the past never dies in our minds. I can be with you there, always.
I love you Dad, and I will think of you every day and I'll do my best to honor you as your son and live the lessons you worked so hard to teach.
I am so sorry I missed the funeral and to give hugs to all of you.
When I think of Rod I think of a hot cup of coffee and chocolate chip a'hoy cookies. I remember him joking he ate too much of those while trucking. But then I tried dipping it in coffee and it was sure good.
I can remember the smells at the State fair and how they visited me when I was there for 4-H photography. I remember the yummy french fries and hanging out.
I remember taking a polaroid photo at our house near the lake in Barnesville... and loving seeing the photo developed.. a memory of getting a dollar from Rod and Judy. The photo in one by photo alblums mom kept.
The Rod I know had a gentle voice that reminded me of Grandpa Holm... easy going; you could sit next to them and hear the stories.
I remember the big warm hugs when I saw him at Marty and Tasha's wedding. How he made you feel important.
My treasure I hold. I remember being diagnosed with cancer and within two days a card was in the mail and how the tears flowed reading..."To our dear sweet Jenny.." I wanted to so encourage him in return... only to recieve more beautiful words from him in a note.
When the day comes that I must face death I hope to stand firm in my faith like Rod. Even though there are moments of fear, pain, or whatever else, I would treasure my moments. I would treasure the beautiful in this world. I would truly live. Thank you Lord for sharing Uncle Rod with us. Hold Judy, Jaye, and Perry during the sad good-bye... encourage them that it is only, "see you later". May we all learn lessons from his life here with us!! We love you ! Jen Holm Raknerud
3 comments:
One of the perks of marrying your son is to have had you as a father-in-law, Rod. Movies are made about men like you--starring Robert Duvall or Robert Redford!--men who grew wise from a young, impetuous life of unwise choices, and then share that hard-won wisdom with others. I'll miss our scrabble games--although I never won! I'll miss our walks,I'll miss your endless supply of stories. Oh, how I loved your stories! God bless and keep you, Rod. Watch over us if you can. I know you'd want to.
Love,
Sheri
Of all the hundreds of wonderful memories, I think the one I will cherish the most is a very simple one, Dad.
We're at the dining table in your lovely home in palisade. Our wives are sitting with us and we've just finished a nice dinner, or a rousing game of scrabble. (which you almost always won!)
Conversation is free flowing and wide-ranging, with each of us taking turns for a story, or a thought, or a joke. Dessert and coffee appear. The time flows like water; slow, gentle, measured.
I think we all wished it would go on forever. Now I realize it will, because as you taught me, the past never dies in our minds. I can be with you there, always.
I love you Dad, and I will think of you every day and I'll do my best to honor you as your son and live the lessons you worked so hard to teach.
And soon, we'll meet again.
Your loving son,
Perry
I am so sorry I missed the funeral and to give hugs to all of you.
When I think of Rod I think of a hot cup of coffee and chocolate chip a'hoy cookies. I remember him joking he ate too much of those while trucking. But then I tried dipping it in coffee and it was sure good.
I can remember the smells at the State fair and how they visited me when I was there for 4-H photography. I remember the yummy french fries and hanging out.
I remember taking a polaroid photo at our house near the lake in Barnesville... and loving seeing the photo developed.. a memory of getting a dollar from Rod and Judy. The photo in one by photo alblums mom kept.
The Rod I know had a gentle voice that reminded me of Grandpa Holm... easy going; you could sit next to them and hear the stories.
I remember the big warm hugs when I saw him at Marty and Tasha's wedding. How he made you feel important.
My treasure I hold. I remember being diagnosed with cancer and within two days a card was in the mail and how the tears flowed reading..."To our dear sweet Jenny.." I wanted to so encourage him in return... only to recieve more beautiful words from him in a note.
When the day comes that I must face death I hope to stand firm in my faith like Rod. Even though there are moments of fear, pain, or whatever else, I would treasure my moments. I would treasure the beautiful in this world. I would truly live. Thank you Lord for sharing Uncle Rod with us. Hold Judy, Jaye, and Perry during the sad good-bye... encourage them that it is only, "see you later". May we all learn lessons from his life here with us!! We love you ! Jen Holm Raknerud
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