My Dad

Mom and Dad (circa 1950)
The Shaffer Family, Dec. 25, 1968
There are so many things I love about this picture... It's too hard to list them all!

Dad and Mom with Jim and Judy on August 18, 1988

On Tuesday morning, August 18, 2009, my dad, Royce Shaffer, passed away. He was 84 years old. Although I will miss him so much, I am so glad that he is finally resting and back with my mom. I was fortunate to have spent a week with him just previous to his death. I will treasure those last few days forever. We had some great talks and great experiences. My dad was an incredible father and an even more incredible man. He lived a great and righteous life.

It is strange to be 'parentless'. My siblings and I wondered if we were considered orphans now! (I don't think we are, but we did consider it.) I know lots of people are without their parents, I just never expected to be without mine at this age. It is sobering to know that the generation before me is gone. It has prompted me to reevaluate my goals and dreams. Two weeks ago my dad said, "Family is the most important thing." It's not like I had never heard that before, but he said it with such clarity, it has made an impact on my life. Family really is the most important thing. I need to make family number one each and every day. Of course, this is easier said than done. I have a job, bills, weeds, books to read, and a million other things that get in the way. A lot of the other things aren't even considered 'bad'. I just need to figure out how to not let the 'other things' get in the way of family. Maybe that's what 'life' is all about. Maybe our 'test' is just that simple.