A Moment of Silence

One of the biggest struggles that Don and I have faced from the beginning of this planning process was how to accommodate his father. Don's father had been sick for a very long time. The whole time we have have been together, I have watched Don struggle with dealing with his father's pain. The logistics of getting his father to Florida were a big concern for us. Especially since his father was a huge Disney fan.

Don and his father used to drive down to Orlando every year. They would road trip together. They knew Valdosta, Georgia before it was the roaring town it has become today. Every time Don and I took a trip down to Disneyworld, we would be cautious about speaking to his father because we both knew he would have given up anything to be down there enjoying Space Mountain with us.

Don's father passed away three months ago today. He passed away the week before my parents were going up to Chicago to meet him. He had not been doing well, but that week before he passed away he was so happy. The last time we spoke he was over the moon excited to be able to meet my parents. He had been so down on his situation that I was hopeful to hear him so at peace. But they say that often a person gets better before they pass. It is my belief that this occurs because the person is getting ready to be at peace with God.

Donald is still with us. He will be with us at our wedding. He is with us in Stella's caring gestures. He is with us in Don's intense Modern Warfare sessions. He is with us in the Snyder's love of football. He is with us in every Bears victory and loss. He is with us in my mom's long disjointed stories. He is with us everyday in our thoughts and prayers and in countless other ways.

Donald -

You were loved, and you were lost. But you will never be forgotten as you will always live on in our memories and the lives of your loved ones.