Fathers Day

Most of you know our story. Lou is 16 years older than I. When we met, he had been divorced for several years, with no children. I do not think Lou ever thought he would BE a father. So, when he became one, he was truly beside himself with joy. I remember him walking home from the hospital after Drew was born, carrying balloons that were sent to us, it was very very windy (it is Chicago after all), and he said it was so fun to walk home with those balloons blowing in the wind, everyone knew he had just become a father! And, when Damon was born, he was the one who saw the two rainbows that appeared in the sky outside the hospital window..he said they were for Drew and Damon. He was the one who found Damon's name in a name book while we were in the hospital! He didn't used to like kids in restaurants, but when Drew came along, we brought him everywhere of course! Lou took Drew to London. He took Damon to Japan. He took us all to Greece. He coached Drew's little league team when he really didn't care much for baseball, and he encouraged Damon's creative talents by making sure he always had sketchbooks to fill. Being an older father, he wasn't so rough and tumble with the boys, but he sure taught them alot. By example, mostly. He is a wonderful father. SOOOOO very proud of his sons. Loves those boys unconditionally. And yes, he does spoil them, though he doesn't think so. Since the brain tumor entered our lives, Lou's fathering has changed of course. But I will tell you this, the well being of his sons has never, ever left his mind and heart. I can remember in the beginning, after the diagnosis, when each day started with such confusion and tears....he would look out the window and if it was a gray fall day, as they often were that year, he would ask..."Did Damon take a jacket today, it looks cold".....it would just break my heart. And, he would insist on getting out of bed at 7 am when Damon left for school to tell him he loved him. YOu need to know that Lou ALWAYS would make sure to be at the door, saying goodbye and I love you when we left, no matter where we were going or for how long. He kept this up for awhile after the brain tumor appeared, and then one day, he just couldn't do it anymore. But he still calls it out..." Love You"......And the constant, never ending mantra now..."Where's Drew?" "Where's Damon" "Are the boys ok?" "What can I do to make this easier on the boys", "how are the boys doing"... always, always on his mind. We almost lost Lou 11 years ago to an emergency ruptured aorta. He miraculously survived a 9 hour surgery. The boys were so young then, Damon , only 5 1/2, and Drew , 12. Such tender ages to lose a father. I do believe God spared him so that he could raise his sons and see them become the men that they are. I thank God for those eleven years, how fortunate we were. And, how fortunate we still are...we love you dear Lou....Happy Father's Day.