Dear Friends,

My wife and I made it down to Decatur this morning and visited a little longer with her dad, mom, brother and a sister from Texas who just flew in. Our oldest daughter also went with us.

As it ends up, that was very fortunate ... about one hour ago we learned from her brother that her dad had just passed away. At least he was at peace and with those he loved beside him. Somehow, I think he knew that, even if he could no longer physically indicate feelings or emotion.

Dad (my father in law) was a truly wonderful man who I feel very proud to have been associated with through my marriage to his daughter. He and I had many times that we shared together that were as intimate and meaningful as those I had with my own father. Heck, he was my dad, too.

It's ironic in a way, this time of year is the time of our town's fall festival. In 1978 my dad passed away on the Thursday of this same festival.

We have a daughter who lives near Cincinnati who was born on dad's birthday, and many other rather interesting coincidences that tied our families in a way maybe not often experienced between families that are brought together by a marriage. My wife's folks and my folks became good friends way back over 4o years ago when my wife and I were still dating. We'd often get together to play cards and we often shared important dates like graduations and marriages with both families participating. It was very special.

There's a blessing in this news about dad passing on. Certainly, we'll miss him very, very much and have and will shed many tears. But I know in my heart as I do about my parents, I feel I can talk to them all each day in prayer; that they can hear me; and I have confidence that he is now in a far, far better place. I know not all accept this and I'm certainly not trying to be preachy. But this is a real comfort for us.

Thank you all again for your warm wishes and prayers. You really have in the last few months become family and your support at this time is just one more of those very special things called Pixies Place. Gold bless you all.