Life and Loss — AZ DIY Guy

April 2016

Hey friends.

Things have been a quiet around here at AZ DIY Guy, but don't worry. Big things are on the horizon.

For now, I figured I'd step out from behind the curtain and post a more personal update. I think it's appropriate to share here, since personal life stuff really does affect the whole DIY thing in a big way. It's real life. Personal energy, family finances, available time, life successes, and tragedies all play into the mix. Projects get delayed. Luckily, this time, I was not in the midst of a big renovation when tragedy visited. I knew it was coming, eventually. I'm not going to promote this post out through social media, I'll just leave it here for my closest followers.

If you follow me on Facebook, you know I lost my awesome Dad on Good Friday. It simply took me out of action.

My brother Jim and I went hog-wild decorating the funeral home with our Dad's artwork dating back as far as his college days in the 1960's, as well as examples from of his 48 years as an art teacher.

Not your average funeral at all.

"Your Dad was the best"

- everyone

My last post was basically complete as I sprinted out of town. I finished editing a few photos as I flew back to Michigan and posted before going dark for a couple weeks. Crisscrossing the country, first racing to be at his side at the end, then again to prepare for and attend his funeral took a lot of steam.

Writing blog posts can be tough at times, but writing my father's obituary was the one of the two absolute toughest things I've had the honor write. The other was my brother Jef's eulogy, nearly 4 years ago. I just didn't have another eulogy in me this time. Jim, just went up there and hit a home run with a wonderful speech that summed it up.

Life goes on. I'm back at home, back at my day job, and back at AZ DIY Guy. It's an odd time. The second day I was back, leaving the office, I caught myself reaching for my cell phone to call him on my drive home, as I have nearly every day for the past 11 months following his cancer diagnosis. I'm really going to miss those talks.

My Dad read this blog and really enjoyed it, especially, the posts with humor. He never hit the Facebook like button or posted a comment, but he'd often send me an email about the posts he enjoyed the most. He even sent my knuckle-head Advanced Clock Installing post to some of his old buddies around the country. We'd talk about my projects and I'd get his advice, especially the more creative / artistic stuff. I especially remember a couple great conversations as I planned the pallet wood pirate flag project.

You'll hear about him more in the future, from time to time.