A father's love for his sons ...

He didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. ~ Clarence Budington Kelland

Bill’s love for his boys was not expressed so much in words, but always in action.  He celebrated their successes, was saddened to have to only watch and be there for them as they struggled through life’s challenges knowing that they needed to learn things on their own and breathed in their essence on the many ordinary days.

Indeed, the boys were fortunate to have such a solid role model.  Always present, wise and very giving; he indeed “lived so that they may watch him do it.”

This is the man who put “magic” into Christmas, who trekked through deep snow so that he could put a stuffed Easter bunny outside looking in, who sat up with them by the toilet when they weren’t feeling so well, who invited me out to the back yard on the night of our first snow fall so that we could build a family of snowmen to surprise the boys in the morning and was so proud to play ball hockey on a team with his sons.  There are so many memories and many were because he wanted his sons to “see” how much he loved them.

Let’s not forget laughter!  There was plenty of that.  Bath time routine at the Walton’s involved the boys stripping down in the bedroom then coming out dancing like little leprechauns in the hall all the way to the bathroom.  There was much laughter and freedom in those moments.  One evening, we were busy in the bedroom stripping down and as usual, the excitement of what was just about to happen was building.  Lots of chatter and giggles.  All three started to run into the hallway for their little dance but silence.  I looked up and saw my beautiful husband, who had taken the time to strip down too!  There was an explosion of laughter and all four started to prance around.  So much laughter!

Father’s Day is around the corner.  It will feel strange not to celebrate with him.  He was proud to be a dad.