Happy Trails!

I really need to write about my dad's passing, before one more day goes by, but I am running on empty tonight! I hope something that I say will be important to be remembered in the coming years.


My father was a "real" cowboy! that is why this post received this title. He did "real" cowboy things...everything in this picture was what he "really" wore! I love that about him!

Sunday early, early morning, about 1:40 am, June 7, 2009, my father Alden Levi Stewart passed away. Was it expected? Well, he was 92 years old! We knew that anything could take him at his age, but on Thursday of that week he was in Salt Lake with us at my nephew Stephen's wedding. He was making plans to head to Wyoming in a couple of weeks, and had made up his mind about starting a new exercise program (bumping it up) so that his legs would be stronger by the time he went away for summer. The next morning he woke up very, very sick. Within 48 hours he was gone. We knew he could go, but that fast? We weren't expecting it. I wasn't expecting it.

I was the lucky one who had the night shift at the hospital. I was a little nervous to be the one in charge of making sure his every need was being taken care of. I was scared something might happen while I was on duty! When his time came though, there was nothing scary about it. It was a blessing to be with him, holding his hand, kissing his cheek, telling him I loved him. It is amazing how many tender mercies the Lord has provided. I thought I knew how this should all go down. I thought it would be nice to be able to come home from the mission for my dad's funeral. I like Heavenly Father's plan better! We got to be with him almost until the day we left, but this way, I was able to be with him when he died, and Jon got to be here too. I needed Jon to be here. I'm so glad I didn't have to come back for a funeral without him. Jon's hug, when he arrived at the hospital, right before dad passed, was an absolute critical part of making that whole experience complete and ok. It is so much better this way! Thank you Heavenly Father!

I have said a lot lately about my dad, but as I have been thinking today, one of the most important things he has taught me, is how to love others. He loves my mother! Sixty three years of loving each other is an example none of us will ever forget. He has loved his children and in-law children like his very own! He has loved each of his grand-children and his great grand-children! It is amazing to me that each one of us feels close to him. Each one of us knows how much he loves us, and each one of us will miss him dearly. That is not an exaggeration!

My mother has been amazing through it all. So selfless. So happy for him. So careful to make sure all who visit her feel comforted, and know how much they mean to her and dad. She is 81. Yes. Eleven years younger than my father. She married him a week after she graduated from high school. Can you imagine how you would feel letting your 18 year old marry a 29 year old? They were the perfect match though! Ten months later my oldest brother was born. Eighteen months later my twin brother and sister were born. She had three children by the time she was 20. Not even old enough to vote yet! She has been connected to my dad at the hip for 63 years. She will miss him dearly! I hope it won't have to be too painful for her! I'm hoping her large family will keep her so busy, she hardly has time to notice that he's gone. I know that is IMPOSSIBLE! But I am anxious for her visits to Santa Rosa. I hope she will be able to come and stay, and meet the missionaries, and love them with us!

I miss seeing my daddy's face. But it is forever in my mind. My memories keep me happy and content! I am lucky I have so many! Happy Trails Dad! I hope you have found Buck and Pug and Toby waiting for you! :) I would like to know how things are going over there. What you are doing, who your companions are. Come visit. I'll try to be listening. I LOVE YOU FOREVER!