The long-term Acute hospital in Denver called us a little after 3:00 Wednesday morning to tell us that Scott (Abi's dad) had just passed away about 10 minutes prior to them calling. They said he went peacefully in his sleep. He's been in the hospital since the first part of September. He has been in and out of ICU several times and in the rehabilitation center most of the other time. He would never be able to live on his own again. During his stay in the hospital(s), I was able to find an address for his sister Lisa in Casper, WY who we had never met. We have a good friend in Casper (Patrick - Mark's research partner), drop off a letter at her place that we had emailed concerning Scott's current condition. Soon after, Phyllis, Scott's step-mom who lives in Cheyenne, called me on the phone and I had a really nice visit with her. Her daughter Joan, in Denver, was willing and able to take Scott's cats - that has worked out really well. Phyllis and Lisa were able to drive to Denver and visit Scott the Saturday before he passed away. Scott had been so close to passing away a couple of other times during his hospital stay, but held off, I feel, just so we could make contact with his family. I know that Heavenly Father is in charge and everything was orchestrated so perfectly. I am so grateful that through all of this we were able to meet Scott's sister and her husband, his step-mom and step-sister. They are wonderful people and we look forward to getting to know them a little better. And of course Abi is thrilled to have met her grandma, aunts and uncle! Brooklyn was just as excited, reminding Abi that since we adopted her, they are our family too! That's only fair I think - she becomes a part of ours and us apart of hers.
I felt like the funeral went really well. We held it at the Stake Center in Cheyenne, WY on Saturday afternoon, January 30th. We had a really nice turn out. Neighbors and friends of Scott's as well as co-workers from the drop-in center where he volunteered were able to come. During Scott's life story, Lisa shared with us that her mom had passed away on the same day as Scott, January 27th, 27 years ago. Again, I know Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us - I don't believe in coincidences.
Afterward we went to the cemetery and saw where Scott's parents and his grandparents on his dad's side are buried as well as where Scott will be buried. Then we went to Grandma Phyllis's for dinner. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit there and the kids loved looking at all of Scott's dad's rocks. He has an amazing collection, and now we have quite the collection as well as Phyllis and Lisa encouraged the kids to take some home. Abi also brought home her dad's rocks and arrowhead collection. I now fully see where her love of rocks comes from!
This is Scott's parents headstone.
This is Scott's grandparent's (dad's side) headstone.
This is Scott's sister, Lisa with Abi.
This is Grandma Phyllis's daughter Joan with Abi.
And this is Grandma Phyllis!
Grandma Phyllis, Abi and Aunt Lisa
Uncle Shawn, Abi and Aunt Lisa
Abi with her new rocks from her grandfather!
This is the home that Abi's dad, Scott, was raised in.
