Rest in Peace, Dave

We attended the funeral for Ashley’s grandfather, Dave, this morning at the Catholic Church he attended for the last +35 years. It was a somber occasion that ultimately allowed his closest relatives and friends to say goodbye and gave them permission to begin the grieving/healing process.

When I first met him a decade ago, he was a talkative, curious man who jumped at the chance to show someone new his collection of slide film from his time stationed in Newfoundland, Canada in the late-50s. He loved a special cake that everyone (except me) hated and made eat with him on his birthday. He appreciated the little things in life, like bird watching and receiving a box of chocolate-covered cherries that he could eat while he did a 1000-piece puzzle. But I think the thing that I liked best about him is the relationship he had with Ashley.

I wish his last few weeks weren’t so painful and sad, but the fact that so many people visited him in the hospital from miles away is a testament to his character and role as the loving patriarch of his family. I hope that brought him some comfort knowing so many showed up at the end of his story to see him through to whatever’s beyond.

RIP, Dave Buttelwerth.