Wednesday, May 30, 2007


Today we buried The Wife's father, my sons grandfather, Gerald Alfred Bodmer.

I met Gerry in 1989. He was a quiet man who gave me a beautiful wife, which has lead to two beautiful sons and a daughter on the way. I will always be grateful and indebted to him.

As we went through pictures for the wake, stories and memories were relived by his six daughters. It is a happy oasis during a sad time.

It is said that those who die never leave us if we remember them, and keep them in our hearts. In my experience this is as true as anything. But do they live on as more? Can we find them in places other than our hearts and memories?

Like I said, my sons are his grandsons, perhaps as much of him, as me, lives within in them.

This is a picture Gerry had taken of his favorite hobby, model trains. He had hundreds of feet of track and dozens of engines, cars and cabooses. He loved them.

I've known of his love for trains since I met him, but looking at this picture, somethings paused inside me. Where had I seen this picture before?

This is a picture Philip had shot awhile back, I posted it on here. Philip loves trains as his grandfather did. I knew this, but the two pictures side by side struck me. Two men, my son and his grandfather, both love trains, and they both photograph them.

Gerry isn't gone as long as we remember him. He also lives on literally in my son. We will miss him, but time spent with Philip and his trains will offer us, only a moment perhaps, of sitting with Gerry when he was happiest, running his trains.

11 comments:

lulu said...

It sounds like you and your boys have great memories of your father-in-law.

My condolences to your wife and your family.

Some Guy said...

Sorry about your family's loss, Phil. My thoughts are with you...

Jenny Jenny Flannery said...

I'm so sorry. What a nice tribute you have done here.

Johnny Yen said...

I'm sorry to hear about your father-in-law. He sounds like he was a great guy. And I do believe our loved ones live as long as we remember them.

don'tneedtoknow said...

Phil,

I'm sorry. Hold on to those memories, they get sweeter all the time.

dirty said...

Phil...

Losing my father was one of the hardest things I've ever had to deal with to date. Keep the memories alive...it always helps.

I'm sorry for your loss and if your wife ever needs someone to talk to, you can pass along my Email.

Sarah

Phil said...

Everyone - Thanks, the whole family appreciates it.

Bacon Lady said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. He sounds like a wonderful man.

Valerie said...

What you wrote about him was beautiful...I hope his family reads this blog.

My condolences to Linda and her family.

Phil said...

Thanks, Val and Chaylene.

Anonymous said...

Phil-
I had no idea. There are no words.
Know you and your family are in my thoughts. And send my love to Linda, please.