Sy: Tender Moments Part 1 & 2

Sy and Ilse

We are heading out of town this weekend for the funeral of a sweet man and "almost" relative. Sy was like a Dad, a close friend, and a mentor to us in many ways. He was a delightful guy in his 80s who lost his courageous battle with cancer on Sunday morning. He was the husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather to some of our dearest friends. So we are packing up to go south and be with them tomorrow for his memorial service.

Times like these always bring the sweet assurance of eternal life and forever families. It is a time of reflection, solemnity, family togetherness and deepening love. It is a time to rejoice in a life well-lived, a time of renewing spiritual strength, making course corrections where needed and setting new goals. There is nothing quite life major life events to shake things up and make us more aware. It makes us more appreciative of each day, each other and why we were sent here to this earth in the first place.

This family has been plagued with cancer almost to the breaking point. But they have remained strong and steadfast and faithful. They have been full of humility and gratitude to the Lord for the lives they have. They have been an inspiration of hope, pressing on in hard times and survival. All who have watched them live and die have learned from them.

To our dear friend, Barbara, her mom, brothers and children and grandchildren...we love you and your Dad will never be forgotten. I am sure he was greeted by Bill, Shannon, his parents to name a few. When the sun is setting here is it rising there. He was a wonderful patriarch, such a fun-loving, sweet and gentle man. May we all support each other in this loss and find peace in the promises we know to be true. He has done the hard thing...and now there is rest for a season. XOXO to all.

A collage made by his family~
Remembering Sy!

Sy, remembered for so many things; his unending service, kindness, humor, love for Ilse and his family, his working hands, his adventurous spirit, his love of backpacking, his thrift, his cookies, his love of great music and his hatred for garlic! What a beautiful tribute his sweet family paid to him.

His great-grandchildren playing
outside the chapel during lunch.

The gorgeous autumn sky that day!

Sy & Ilse's beautiful home on the mountain!

The traffic jam at the house overlooking the valley.
Our is the last car in you can just see our tail light.
It was a little disconcerting when the car slipped a little
when it was placed in park and the brake set
on the gravel at this angle. Yikes!

His family that came from far and wide
to celebrate the life of this wonderful
husband, Dad, Papa, and friend.
Double click the photo for a close up view.

A little algae covered lake right near their home~
looking quite beautiful and peaceful!
May you have a lot of that Beauty and Peace, Sweet Friends!

We'll Miss You, Sy!

P.S. Hi DeeDee!