Blog Break

May 08th, 2011 | Category: Uncategorized

Picnik collage

I will be taking a blog break this week.

Saturday night my step dad unexpectedly passed away, and I will be spending the week with my family. This man meant the world to me, one of those things I never communicated enough. He voluntarily took on the role of father years ago and did the job better than anyone else could. My next book is dedicated to him, but he won’t get to see that. He was Mr. Fix-It, Mr. Supportive, a grandfather who intentionally made memories, a wonderful cook, as quotable as Twain, a man with a stunning intellect and brilliant sense of humor. For those of you girls/ladies who had a parent who bailed, you will understand the heart-breaking loss of a man who stood in the gap and said, “Be her dad? You bet I want that job.” You never outgrow the need for that. He was the guy who drove almost 4 hours with my mother my freshman year of college on a week night to attend some small potatoes choir concert, only to take me to dinner afterward, then drive the four hours back. I have thousands of stories just like that. I am grateful for the time we had.

He was the man who fixed everything–from my toilet to some encouragement for a broken heart. The man who came to my house in the middle of the night when I set off a house alarm I didn’t even know was connected, waking up my entire town. The man who picked up my car in another state at 3:30 in the morning because it had broken down, and I’d had to leave it, and he knew I was upset. He was the dad who shared my dislike for visitations, funerals, weddings, and awkward situations, events where I would gradually fade to the back, knowing he’d meet me there and put his arm around my shoulder and not have to say anything at all And this week when we say our final goodbye, he won’t be there to hug me to him and give me that smile that said, “You and me gotta stick together.”

He was my dad, my friend, one of my biggest cheerleaders; and while we know God is in control, right now we also know our family will never be the same, and there will be a gap now permanently open. I appreciate your prayers for my family and for his.


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53 comments

53 Comments so far

  1. Emilee May 8th, 2011 4:31 pm

    We will be praying for you!!!

  2. Sarah May 8th, 2011 5:19 pm

    I am so, so sorry. What a sad, hard thing for you and your family. Praying for y’all today.

  3. Abbigail May 8th, 2011 5:22 pm

    Definitely praying!
    -<3-Abbigail

  4. Joy @ Edgy Inspirational Romance May 8th, 2011 5:56 pm

    Soooo sorry to hear that Jenny. Prayers to you and your family.

  5. Kristy May 8th, 2011 6:05 pm

    I am so sorry. I will be praying.

  6. Julie Jarnagin May 8th, 2011 7:33 pm

    I’m so sorry for your loss. He sounds like a wonderful man.

  7. Johannah May 8th, 2011 7:41 pm

    We are so sorry, Jenny. May the Lord carry you and your family through this hard, hard time. God bless you.

  8. Jenny May 8th, 2011 7:42 pm

    Oh Jenny, my deepest sympathy for this significant loss in your life. What a beautiful write up and tribute to what a step-parent can be.

  9. Amy May 8th, 2011 7:53 pm

    Jenny, I am praying for you and your family right now. I am sorry for your loss, but am glad that you shared a relationship with such an extraordinary man. Your written tribute was beautiful, fragrant, and lovely.

  10. Natalie May 8th, 2011 8:16 pm

    Love you dearly, friend. What a beautiful tribute to an amazing man. Praying for you, your mom, and your family this week.

  11. Shauna May 8th, 2011 9:00 pm

    I’m so sorry, Jenny. Praying for all of you.

  12. Natasha May 8th, 2011 9:09 pm

    Oh, Jenny, I am so sorry. Praying for comfort for you and your family during this unexpected and difficult time.

  13. Deanna May 9th, 2011 5:41 am

    I am deeply sorry.

  14. Kristin May 9th, 2011 5:57 am

    I’m so sorry, Jenny. I’ll be praying for you and your family.

    ~Kristin

  15. Ruth May 9th, 2011 7:56 am

    Oh Jenny, I am so sorry for your loss! What a beautiful tribute – thank you for sharing your heart. You & your family will be in my prayers!

  16. Amy K May 9th, 2011 8:09 am

    I am so very sorry for your loss. I also was very fortunate to have a man step up to the Dad job that didn’t have to, so I completely understand how you feel about your stepdad. How wonderful it is that you had a man like him in your life. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

  17. Katers May 9th, 2011 8:59 am

    How heartbreaking. I’ll be thinkin of you Jenny!

  18. Nicole O'Dell May 9th, 2011 9:18 am

    Praying for you this week (and always), Jen. Love you! Hugs!!!

  19. Julie Arduini May 9th, 2011 10:11 am

    Praying for you and your family. What a beautiful tribute to what surely was an amazing man.

  20. Colleen Coble May 9th, 2011 10:16 am

    Oh Jenny, I’m so sorry, honey! Praying for you and your family.

  21. Evangeline Denmark May 9th, 2011 10:19 am

    I’m so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful tribute to him on your blog. Praying for you and your family.

  22. Elaine May 9th, 2011 10:31 am

    Jenny – I’ll be praying for you & your family. I also had a wonderful step-dad that willingly stepped in & became my biggest supporter. He was also the only Grandpa that my kids knew – we miss him dearly & have so many incredible memories.

  23. Cara Putman May 9th, 2011 10:42 am

    My heart is just broken for you. He sounds like an amazing man — so grateful he was in your life. And now so sad for you that he isn’t anymore. Hugs.

  24. Leah May 9th, 2011 10:58 am

    I’m really sorry Jenny.
    I will be praying for you and your family.

  25. Kim Traylor May 9th, 2011 12:00 pm

    Jen,
    well stated…I think you just wrote the eulogy. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Love you girl!

  26. Clare May 9th, 2011 12:05 pm

    I’ll be praying for you and your family, Jenny! I’m so sorry that you had to lose someone you loved so much.
    Hugs and prayers always!

  27. Liv May 9th, 2011 12:17 pm

    Jenny! So sorry. He sounded amazing! Praying for you…

  28. ashley May 9th, 2011 2:14 pm

    oh Jenny, my heart breaks for you. My prayers are with you and both families. I hope one day soon you will find peace knowing he is your Guardian Angel and will never leave your side. Let me know how I can help.

  29. Janna May 9th, 2011 2:31 pm

    Jenny,
    Praying for you as your heart breaks. God will carry you through but I will continue praying – love you.

    Janna

  30. Erin McFarland May 9th, 2011 2:59 pm

    your dad sounds amazing Jenny. will be praying for you and your family this week. xoxo

  31. Leanna Ellis May 9th, 2011 4:48 pm

    Jenny, I am so sorry. Your post made me cry. Praying for you and your family this week. It is so hard to say goodbye. We said goodbye to my father in law last week and my own father two years ago. Heaven is just a little more full today. Hugs, Leanna

  32. Cassidy May 9th, 2011 5:14 pm

    Oh I am very sorry for your loss. That’s a really hard thing to go through and I hope y’all will heal. I know with God there, He will help y’all through it. Know that your stepdad is always watching over you and he’s still with you in your heart. My condolences.

  33. Ginny Smith May 9th, 2011 6:22 pm

    Oh, Jenny, I’m so sorry. Since I just lost my dad a couple of months ago, I know a little of your pain. Praying for you and your family.

  34. Sarah May 9th, 2011 6:23 pm

    Omg Jenny I’m soooo sorry :’( I will miss ur humor b/c its something I look foward to every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It is terrible to have ur father figure pass away. Though I don’t know what it is like to have stepdad I do know what its like to have dad and that means the world forever and always. So I just want you to know that although ur in many prayers ur also in mine, and God loves u.

  35. Lenora May 9th, 2011 6:44 pm

    Jenny, I’m so sorry to hear this. He sounded like the kind of dad we’d all love. Prayers for you and your family. We love you.

  36. Bethany Ellis May 9th, 2011 6:52 pm

    Oh, Jenny.. I am so sorry to hear this. My heart goes out to you and your family. Will be praying for you, too.

  37. Carrie May 9th, 2011 7:07 pm

    Jenny, I am so sorry to hear about your stepdad. Your post brought tears to my eyes. Sounds like he showed much love and wisdom. What a special man. I will pray for you and your family at you get together to remember and honor him.
    Thinking of you,
    Carrie

  38. Jess May 9th, 2011 7:11 pm

    I am so sorry Jenny. My family will be praying for you and your family.

  39. Roxanne Henke May 9th, 2011 7:31 pm

    What a beautiful tribute to your step-dad. You are in my prayers. Cherish your many memories! Roxy

  40. Joy May 9th, 2011 7:57 pm

    I am so sorry. I really am.

  41. Kristin Gray May 9th, 2011 8:32 pm

    Praying for you all. I’m so sorry… You wrote a beautiful tribute.

  42. Jenny B. Jones May 10th, 2011 12:42 am

    Y’all are awesome. Thank you. Much love to you all.

  43. Micah May 10th, 2011 4:32 pm

    Oh, Jenny. I am incredibly sorry to hear about your loss. I will absolutely be praying for you and your family. May your sweet memories of him comfort you.

  44. bookwyrm14 May 10th, 2011 5:05 pm

    I would say “I’m sorry,” but I know how trite and empty it is when people tell me that. So let me just leave you with a verse, cause Scripture always seems 2 touch me more than empty sentiments: “For I (God) will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

  45. Stephanie May 11th, 2011 10:25 am

    What a devastating loss for you and your family – so sorry. Your tribute to him was BEAUTIFUL! It truly painted a picture of a man we would all be incredibly thankful to have as a dad.

  46. Liz Johnson May 11th, 2011 8:46 pm

    Jenny, I’m so sorry to hear this. Wish there were words to say that would make this time easier, but I know there aren’t. Praying that the Great Comforter meets you right where you are right now.

  47. Colene Murphy May 11th, 2011 10:02 pm

    Jenny, I’m so sorry to read this. He sounded like such a wonderful man. This was a lovely tribute and you and yours will be in my prayers!

  48. MaryC May 11th, 2011 10:29 pm

    Jenny, I have tears from reading your lovely tribute. I’ll be keeping you and your dad and all your family in my prayers.

  49. Rachel May 12th, 2011 6:53 pm

    I can’t pretend to understand, but i will pray. He sounds like an amazing person, someone anyone would have been lucky to know.

  50. Sarah May 13th, 2011 2:20 am

    Jenny, I’m so very sorry. What an incredible tribute. I’m praying for you and your whole family.

  51. Allie Smith May 13th, 2011 10:44 pm

    omigosh,jenny,so sorry about your stepdad!!!my family will definitely be keeping you and your family in our prayers!!!

  52. Dani May 15th, 2011 8:35 pm

    praying for you & your family.

  53. Lissa May 16th, 2011 9:41 pm

    You are so fortunate to have had a man like him in your life.

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