Crying My Eyes Out

Tonight was family movie night in the Willman household. This means that we all hunker down amidst pillows, blankets, hot chocolates, and popcorn and watch a movie together. Tonight was Anna's choice and she choice a Netflix movie called "Heart of the Country" about love between a father and his daughter. Of course, this was a tearjerker for all of us and I couldn't help but remember the nights when mom and I would be crying watching some sappy movie and dad would sit on the coach mimicking our sobs. I would have given anything tonight to look over and hear him sniffing and making fun of us!

A New Friend

This last week Erik started pre-school. We all thought he'd just sail into this new adventure since he is not shy at all and loves meeting new people. Not so much! He actually cried until lunch on the first day and came out with red and puffy eyes. On Wednesday I worried how he would do. When we arrived, there was another little boy just arriving who looked terrified. They started to play side by side and I hoped that they would become buddies. When I picked him up on Wednesday the staff said he had a much better day. In Erik's words, "I only cried a tiny, winy bit and I met a new friend." I asked him what his friend's name was. Myles was the answer.

Glimpses of Dad

This past week I have noticed lots of little glimpses of dad in each of the kids. We attended Vacation Bible School Family Night last week and the kids got to share all of their songs and actions. As all the kids sang along I noticed that Erik was decidedly off-beat with his clapping... just like Grandpa Myles! Today, we spent the day in Woodbury enjoying Myndy and Jason's pool. We had lots of snacks but both Mylee and Ellie spent all of their time eating watermelon...just like Grandpa Myles! We also had some time to jump off the diving board and Anna spent her time making up funny dives to get us to laugh. She likes a good joke...just like Grandpa Myles!

It all started with the band concert...

The last few weeks have been full of taps on the shoulder from my dad. It started with Ellie's band concert a little over a week ago. While she was getting ready I remembered my own very first band concert in sixth grade. Poor dad had to drive home and get the flute I had forgotten at home. I'll give you three guesses how happy Susie was with me. Then after enduring that horrible first sixth grade concert I remember drilling him on the way home, " What was your favorite song?" "What did you like best about the concert?" "Could you hear me playing on the fourth measure?" I am sure that he was just glad that it was all over but he played along like the great dad that he was. He listed favorite parts and favorite measures and made me feel so important. Tonight we had a dance party to celebrate Steve's birthday. Our friend Dustin told us of the "great mouse adventure" at his mom's apartment. His mom had called him in a panic about a dead mouse under her bed. He had many questions including, "how do you know it is dead?" "how long has it been there?" "how did it die?" When he arrived he realized it was just an extension cord covered in dust. This reminded me of how much fun dad used to have with dryer lint scaring mom with fake mice. I am thankful for all of the taps on the shoulder. I miss you every day dad!

Cheese Curds and the Bucket List

Today has been a day filled with memories of my dad. I stopped by the grocery store and had to pick up an appetizer for a happy hour party. They had fresh cheese curds and the lady giving out the samples called them squeakers, just like dad! Of course I bought some and they were delicious. Later today, Erik and I spent some time swinging on the swing set in the backyard. I thought of how dad and Steve got up at 6 am to start construction on the swing set and how we had to convince dad that he couldn't start drilling and nailing at 6 am in the city! Just now, we watched The Bucket List. I remember dad loving this movie and it's message...find the joy in your life! I am grateful for the glimpses of dad today.

Juke Box Hero

Tonight we celebrated my mom's birthday with dinner in Cannon Falls. We asked her for her best birthday party memory. She said, "A party where we got to invite boys and we got to swim in the gravel pit." Is anyone surprised by this? When I asked her what her best gift was she did not hesitate at all. "My fiftieth birthday when Myles bought me the jukebox." I will never forget that day and how excited my dad was for mom to see the gift. We had her come out to the garage and she thought she was getting a new dining room table. When mom saw the jukebox she kissed the guy from Jim's game supply. He said it was the best reaction he'd ever gotten from a delivery. The next time you come to the cabin and listen to a tune remember my dad, the jukebox hero!

Two Years Ago Today

Today marks the 2nd year anniversary of us living without dad. It hardly seems possible that we've been able to keep on laughing, crying, working and soldiering on without his presence. This morning I woke up at 5 am and had the best vision of dad. He was sitting in the front of the Bass Tracker with one foot on the trolling motor looking at the sunset on Blue Lake. I hope the fishing is great, dad! PS...I can't bare to eat the last walleye package in the freezer so it sits in the corner of the deep freeze as my sweet memory of dad each time I look for something to make for dinner!