Gaining an Angel

Our lives were touched today by a family that has been across the path of our lives here in our town for years. This family lost their Husband and Father. He and his wife were business clients of my own for many years. His wife was my husband's caregiver. His son was my husband's school mate. His oldest daughter is our oldest son's teacher. His youngest daughter is our cousin's dear friend. We have called them all friend and thought fondly of every one.

To town folk, their house was THE place to BE on Halloween. It THE house on "the North Side" with all the scary moving things in the windows and all the spookey ookey stuff all over. Their decorations ARE THE decorations TO out DO! That's where you made sure you went when you took the kids went trick-or-treating so that you could stand on the sidewalk and just stare in awe. When you went there, you planned to be there for awhile. Mr. Deitrich just had to come out after he got everything in the window moving and then stand with you and marvel at his creation, making sure to point them all out to you, so you wouldn't miss a thing. He loved it! Loved it, and you could see it in his eyes. He loved that the kids that used to trick-or-treat at his house when his own children were little were now bringing their own kids by.

When you saw that big red truck coming, we knew it was him, he knew it was us, and he would smile from ear to ear and give a big wave; if he could only hear all the kids in the car!

Mrs. Deitrich, your husband touched our lives and left us with such happy memories. In his passing your family in your sorrow and grief took the time to consider ours. Such a selfless and loving gesture that I can't find the words to make my brain understand what my heart is feeling.

Your family is his legacy and he will live on in you all. Kevin, Jennifer, and Kristen we mourn the loss of your father. He will be sorely missed but we will carry him on in our hearts and thoughts, forever. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of your Dad, or your family. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing Jake to be part of your Dad's living legacy. I will never be able to look at my own son without love for your family.