One year ago our world changed. It’s been 365 days since we received the news that my mother-in-law, Nancy had unexpectedly passed away. It started just like any other Friday. But as my wife was literally walking through the door coming home from work, we learned that the paramedics couldn’t revive my mother-in-law. She was gone.

Nancy had come home from school where she was a paraprofessional just like every other weekday. She chatted briefly with my father-in-law and then went into the bedroom to change clothes. She never came back out. By the time Thom went in to see what she was doing it was already too late. She had a massive heart attack and was gone in an instant.

My wife and I threw some clothes into our suitcases and hit the road. It was one of the longest trips back to Indiana we’ve ever experienced. At least it felt that way. The next few weeks were truly a blur. For my wife, her brother, and her sister that blur has lasted much longer. There were so many details that needed to be handled.

I helped when and where I could, but there were so many things that my wife, her brother and sister had to do wanted to do themselves. But there was one thing that they asked of me; Put together the video/slideshow that would play at the visitation and memorial service. I grabbed my laptop and started scanning pictures. Roughly 24 hours later the video was complete. Thanks to modern technology I didn’t even need to burn it to a DVD. I simply posted it on my YouTube channel and then connected my laptop to a TV. Thanks to the convenience of a wi-fi I simply hit repeat and let it roll.

There truly is no way to compress 73 year of life into a few pictures, but I tried. As I’ve now said way too many times; Make sure that you hug those who are precious to you, often. And never forget to say ‘I love you’. You never know when it might be the last time…

Music:
David Fesliyan “All Shall End”
free background music from https://www.fesliyanstudios.com