Yesterday was a very hard day and I cried most of the day as I remembered my sweet grandson Emmett. Today I am overwhelmed with joy as I remember Doug and the testimony his life was. I’m especially thankful for his legacy that lives on through his daughter, Tiff Marie!

She is very much her father’s daughter and possesses quite a few of her dads attributes….her love of the outdoors, airplanes, animals (as long as they’re behind glass or in a cage 🤪), and her curiosity about the ocean and all the little fishes that live in it.

Like her dad, she’s a “no nonsense” kind of person and will pretty much tell you what she thinks…😬 which can be trying at times but I personally love her sass.

Although life has moved forward these past seven years for both Tiff Marie and myself, I still struggle with how often to bring up her dad in conversation as I don’t want to cause her any pain or to make her sad, but rather I am hoping to bring up fond memories and help her to remember her dad. I usually will ask her a few questions and one of them is if she misses him or if she remembers him. She always says she misses him but sadly, she is starting to forget him. This makes me sad for her.  Is this normal?
I feel its my job to continue keeping his memory alive for her as well as his legacy through her. There are times, quite honestly, I have no idea how to do that.

What I mean by that is, I wonder if Tiff wants me to keep these conversations going…or if she really has a grasp on any of it beyond knowing her dad is in Heaven? I also struggle with wondering if she really cares – especially when she gives me less than two minutes of her time and then shines me on. These are just a few of the unknowns and awkward moments that we continue learning how to maneuver through as time continues to move forward….
I do know however, he would be so proud of Tiff Marie and how well she is getting along in life, how much of a joy she is, and that she is doing so fantastic!!😊