Friday, October 11, 2019
My Sweet Emily and Adam,
There is nothing we can say to make you feel less shock or less grief, so I won’t even try. The two of you and your mom and dad were such an ingrained part of our lives for a lot of important years; the early years of both our marriages, house hunting together for our first homes, having our babies, celebrating our children’s successes, on and on. You two were like my own for so many years, and even though we’ve lost touch, it has never meant that we stopped thinking about you or loving you. The same is true for your mom and dad. I’ve never stopped missing my best friend or your dad’s megawatt smile. None of you have deserved what life has thrown you and no one knows why events have happened the way they have unfolded. Take comfort in each other. It would give both your parents great comfort knowing their children are always looking out for the other. Your dad was so unbelievably proud of both of you and was such a good dad. What he suffered through your mom’s condition he did with grace, love, and loyalty. He gave up his own happiness for a long time and we rejoice that the last number of years he has lived his life with joy again. Being a grandfather is such a blessing, and just seeing the pictures of Bob with his “babies”, one can see how they were the lights of his life. That life ended much too soon, and our hearts hurt for your loss and our memories of all the times we shared. I know you will continue to look after your mom. She loves you and still loves your dad in the memories she has within her heart. We are in South Carolina, Morgan and her husband, Jason, are in Greensboro, and Zac, Jodie, and our two beautiful granddaughters remain in England. We are scattered, but we are still family, and the two of you will always be a part of that family as you always have been. If and when the time comes, please reach out to us if you wish. We hold an awful lot of memories for a lot of years of your dad, will never forget him, and would love to share them with you whenever you feel the need. In the mean time, please know we will continue to love that curly headed little girl who your mom and I called “our practice baby” and that rotten little mini-Bob who along with his best bud, Zac, were always causing grief and the beautiful young woman and man they grew into. Love and support each other. You two are the greatest legacies of your mom and dad. Always, Dan and Jo Ann
