Tuesday, June 05, 2012

Sad News

So these past few weeks were the ones where I was supposed to get my time back. And I was going to be here for you. And then my FIL died, suddenly and unexpectedly. It's been a real blow for the dude since we haven't been to England in two years. On Friday, we'll return for the funeral.

I know I have used this forum as a place to blow off steam when my in-laws visit, so it may seem to longtime readers that there is no love lost between us. But the truth of the matter is that I care very deeply for my in-laws. (It's house guests I don't love.) First and foremost because they helped produce the dude, but also because they are interesting people who are interested in the world around them.

My father-in-law was a classics professor of some renown, and we are getting notes from the world over fondly remembering him. A scholar to the end, an article he wrote recently will be published posthumously. When he found out I had a fear of walking down circular stairs, he made up a word for it using his extensive knowledge of ancient Greek (which he started learning at seven). Unfortunately, I lost the scrap of paper he wrote it on, and it is lost to time. He also knew Latin (which he began studying at nine), and his girlfriend has shared a story of Michael communicating with her Italian MIL in ecclesiastical Latin. That's one of the fabulous things about him; he was always game.

One of my favorite stories about him came from his children when I was putting together a scrapbook for his 70th birthday. My FIL was born profoundly hard of hearing. One summer, the family vacation took place on a canal boat--a trip that zigged as well as zagged. Just after marveling at the "great wide sweep" approaching, Michael ran the boat aground. As people shouted instructions from the shore for unsticking themselves, Michael would shout back, "I can't. We've run aground." The family recalls this vacation vividly with my MIL providing the wonderful detail that their rescue ended up in other people's vacation video footage.

I'm afraid I will be away for at least two more weeks. I miss you all.

37 comments:

Unknown said...

Sorry to hear of your loss - heartfelt wishes being sent to you.

Sun City Stitcher said...

So sorry for you and the Dude's loss. Glad you have the memories.

Daffycat said...

What a sad day. My condolences and I will be thinking of you. Have a safe trip.

Deb said...

I'm so sorry to hear this. My condolences to both you and the Dude.

Mouse said...

ohh sorry to hear your sad news .... and sorry your visit back here is under the same sad circumstances ....

your FIL sounded a wonderful and intelligent man and glad you are hearing peoples memories of him as well ... a well loved man ....

take care love mouse xxx

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

My heartfelt sympathies to you, your dude and all of his family. We miss you. Have safe travels, Godspeed.

Denise said...

So sorry to hear of your FIL's passing.

His stories however have not passed - find comfort in them. Take care and God speed.

Jennifer said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. Sometimes it's tricky business to navigate a relationship with in-laws, but it doesn't make the loss any less devastating. My condolences to you and The Dude.

Birdie said...

Please accept my most heartfelt sympathies for ther loss of your FIL. He sounded like a wonderful man.
My thoughts are with you and the Dude during this difficult time.

Beth said...

So, so sorry. He sounds to have been an entertaining and unique human being. Take care.

April said...

So sorry to hear of your FIL's passing. My condolences to you and the dude. Safe travels.

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

So sorry for your loss, sending (((hugs))) to you both.
It's so important to share stories of people to keep their memories alive. He sounds like a great person, real "Old School" as we say here.

dulcinella said...

Sorry to hear this. You made a beautiful blogpost about your FIL. Every word you wrote, tells how much you cared for him. Take care of yourself and the dude. May the wonderful memories help you both with difficult times ahead.

Cole said...

So sorry to hear about your FIL... this was a lovely post about him. It sounds like he would have been an amazing man to sit & have a conversation with. Safe travels as you go to England.

Maggie said...

Sorry to read your sad news.

You gave your FIL a great tribute!

xeyedmary said...

I'm so sorry for your loss- your father-in-law sounds like a remarkable, memorable person who will be missed intensely.
Please extend my condolences to the dude. Take care.

Mary in TN said...

I am so sorry for you and the Dude. May you have more great memories of him as the family discourses and the notes come in.

Ruth said...

I'm so sorry -- condolences to you all -- keep those fond memories afloat.

Catherine said...

Have a safe journey. Thoughts and prayers to you, your husband, and his family.

Kathy A. said...

Condolences to you and your family. Please travel safe.

Cindy's Stitching said...

Sorry to hear about your loss.

Anonymous said...

Anna, FIL must have been a great and witty man, I'm really sorry..

Annemarie said...

Thinking of you and the Dude. Your FIL reminds me of Professor Trefusis. Is that weird? I don't know, but it sounds like he was a delightful man. Please, take good care of yourselves in this difficult time. {{{Hugs}}}

Chris said...

I am so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful post about your FIL.

Thoeria said...

I'm sorry for your (and the Dude's) loss - your FiL sounds like an amazing man :) Travel safely.

The Queen Bee said...

I am sorry.

Pam

Giovanna said...

My condolences to you both. Have a safe trip.

Heather said...

I'm very sorry for your loss.

Minnie said...

So sorry for you and the Dude's loss. Take as long as you need we all understand and will be here when you get back.

Pam in IL said...

Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. So sorry for your loss.

Karen said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. Have a safe trip.

Sharon said...

So sorry to hear of your loss. My sincerest condolences!

Veronica said...

My condolences to you and your family. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Take care and have a safe trip.

Hugs,
Veronica.

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Sorry to hear of your loss. Sending the Dude, you, and the family my condolences. With love and memories like these, comfort and peace will come.

Alice said...

Heartfelt condolences to you and the Dude.22

valerie said...

My condolences to you, the Dude and his family.

Anonymous said...

I'm very sorry.