Friday, August 1, 2014

Until we meet again...{Terry Renner 7.25.14}

My father in law went to be with Jesus last Friday night after losing his hard fought battle with cancer.

Just typing those words breaks my heart.
Terry's favorite cowboy hat that he wore to our wedding 5 years ago.
Terry has been like a second father to me since I started dating Drew 13 years ago when I was just 16 years old. From the first moment I met him he treated me like I was part of the family. I was always just like another daughter to him even though he already had 3 of his own. I am so thankful for the relationship that we had.
Terry always made everyone laugh. We would go to a restaurant and he'd have our waitress laughing. We would go into a store and he would have the employees cracking up. Even when he went in for his chemo treatments the nurses always looked forward to hearing what he would come up with to make them smile.  He was always pulling pranks and telling corny jokes to lighten the mood.
Terry loved his family and was always over at our house fixing something or checking the air in our tires, making sure that we were okay. He always put his kids first and taught them how to care for others. I am forever thankful to him for raising the most amazing man I know, his son.
I'm glad for the many years I got to spend with Terry, but I am so incredibly sad for the years that he will not be a part of Drew and I's lives and that he will not get to meet his first grandson on this Earth.
I know he would have been the most fantastic grandpa, "Pops" to Aiden. The day we told him he was going to be a grandpa he was absolutely thrilled. I didn't know until recently that he took his grandpa cup around to all our neighbors and shared the news with them. Our neighbor Pat just told me that when Terry came over to tell her that he was going to be a grandpa she thought he had just won a million dollars. That is how excited he was to be a grandpa.
I am sad that he won't be here to welcome Aiden in October. I am sad that he won't be here for Aiden's first Christmas or his first steps, but Aiden will definitely know his grandpa through all of us. Our house is the same house that Terry grew up in so Aiden will grow up in the same room that Terry did as a child. He will play games in the same backyard that Terry did growing up and I pray that he will love people and love life as much as Terry did.
I know missing Terry won't stop after today. I pray that I can love better because of how he loved me and how he loved his family. Thank you Lord for allowing me to know such a wonderful man.

Hold your families tight today and tell them that you love them.
Time with them is precious.

24 comments:

k8te said...

i am so sorry for your loss. thinking of you and your family!

lauren [lolloped] said...

I am so sorry for your loss. Just from this post, he seemed like a wonderful person. It's amazing that Aiden will grow up in the same house, what a perfect gift :)

Brittany said...

My heart is broken for you and Drew. I am so very sorry. I absolutely hate this terrible disease, but it must be comforting to know he isn't suffering anymore. Aiden will always have the most excited, loving Angel to watch over him. Love you!

Ashleigh said...

I am so so sorry for your loss sweet girl.. Loosing someone is never easy!

Kristen said...

Oh, Allison. My heart is so broken for your family. I'm so terribly sorry to hear about this great loss. Your father in law seems like an amazing man. Stopping right now to lift up your family.

The Heart Of A Woman said...

I am so sorry for your loss and I am crying with you right now. If you need to talk I'm here. Love you.

Tamara said...

Sorry for your loss.

Erin LFF said...

Thinking of you, Drew and your entire family. I'm so sorry for your loss; Terry sounded like an amazing man and I can tell he'll be missed by so many people. Love you!

Anonymous said...

My heart is breaking for you and the rest of Terry's family and friends. He sounds like a phenomenal man. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

-Amy

Rach said...

You guys are still in my prayers. Love you, sweet friend. Terry sounds like an amazing man. I can see why Drew is such a good man.

Also, you guys live in the house that Terry grew up in? Did Drew grow up there too? How did all of that happen? I love that Aiden will grow up there!

Legally Lovely said...

I am so, so sorry to hear this. I teared up reading this post, knowing that you, me, and Brittany had just sat down and spoke only a few weeks ago. I will add you and your family to my prayer chain for comfort during this hard time. Again, I am so sorry for your loss.

Anne said...

Allison, I've been thinking of you and your family. I'm so sorry for your loss - it's heartbreaking that he won't get to know Aiden, and Aiden won't get to know his Pops. What a neat thing though to have that connection to him by creating a nursery for Aiden in his childhood room.

Jessica M. said...

Oh Allison, I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine how you feel. You and Drew and your families are in my thoughts and prayers.

Katie said...

Allison, I am so sorry. My heart breaks for you and Drew. Losing someone to cancer is so rough. Sending many many good thoughts and prayers.

The Lady Okie said...

So sorry to hear this. I'll keep your family in my prayers. He sounds like a wonderful man.

Anonymous said...

My deepest condolences on the loss of such an amazing man. Just reading this beautiful post about him made me see how wonderful he was to all of you. So sorry for your loss :(

RachaelA said...

So incredibly sad for your loss but so wonderful that you had many wonderful years and memories with him. I pray that that will give you comfort at this difficult time x

According to Jax said...

I'm so incredibly sorry for your loss, my dear. Losing a loved one is definitely the hardest thing anyone can go through. I'm glad you guys have each other to lean on during this tough time. Thinking of you both! xoxoxox!

gen said...

i'm really sorry for your loss, Allison. there is hope of a better place for those in Christ who depart this earth. your family will be in my prayers.

Natalie said...

Such a lovely tribute Allison. Praying for you and your family today.

Devon said...

I'm so sorry for your loss Allison. He sounds like an amazing person who has left a lasting imprint on your lives. How special that your son will share his room and his childhood home. Sending happy thoughts and hugs your way.

Shelley said...

allison, i am so sorry for your loss. i cannot imagine what you and your family are going through right now but you guys are in my prayers.
also, i didn't realize ya'll live in the house your father-in-law grew up in. how cool. and how special that aiden gets to grow up in that house also <3

Ashley Robyn said...

Been praying for you friend. I hate that your sweet family is having to deal with such a huge loss. I love the comfort you have found in making sure that Aiden will know his sweet grandfather.

Betty said...

Hi Allison, I am so so sorry for your loss. I have been keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers and will continue to do so. It is so special that you live in the house that he grew up in...what a special thing to share with your son!