I struggled through those time-warped tough moments of letting him finally go, upstairs in ICU at Hilton Head, SC, along with mom, Layli, Chris, Rob and Jeff. We held his hand, and told him how special he was to us, while still numbed by our sudden loss.
My mother and he traveled extensively overseas, and criss-crossed North America thoroughly in their RV, most trips with their own likeable little dog Webster. Ted has a great optimistic and adventurous personality, always first detectible by a sparkle in his eye. When he first met my mother (they were barely in their 70s), he announced to friends that he was "twitter-pated!" They had first bonded over cleaning a difficult lasagna pan together following a chance meeting at a holiday family reunion in Park City, Utah. After a quick and careful courtship, they confidently married, and then proceeded to pack more adventure in eleven years than some couples do in thirty.
Ted was an incredibly fantastic Dad, raising two talented boys, Jeff and Rob, and a good-hearted affectionate daughter, Chris, all of whom later nurtured their own families while adopting Ted's "gentle-but-consistent" parenthood skills (always sprinkled with humor). As kids, they were raised to appreciate the outdoors too, as they played on the water, camped, sailed and skied, all spurred on by Ted's spark, while growing up in near Seattle, WA.
As part of our journey to Alaska, we were part of a beautiful tribute to Ted's life in gorgeous Durango, Colorado with families gathered.... the golden branches of the Grahams, Nottinghams, Raymonds and Whitings. Layli's daughter Nadia and fiancee Kyle came from Phoenix, plus Tom & Cheri S., of West Denver. We gathered at the church, and later on the beautiful hillside resting place, returning to Bev and Reg's large family deck for additional stories, remembrances and support.
Summarizing the combined gatherings and memorial, I would say it was as REAL as it gets: touching, warm, joyous and sensitive, with humorous stories from all, where needed. That is why you see mostly smiles in the very few photos I was able to gather, and that is the result of Ted flowing through us, telling us it's OK to say goodbye, but also to live out our lives in his style: with class, humor, diplomacy and tolerance. He'd want us to always seek out the best in those who cross our paths in large and small ways.....as we work, play & love.
And, to my mother: I am so contented that you found the love of your life, and naturally gave so much joy back to Ted during your adventure-packed years with him. I believe Ted wants you to keep finding that beauty in life, so that you can later "catch him up" on the latest, when you two are re-joined, forever, in the next world of God. Sooner or later, we'll all be there.
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