Saturday, March 31, 2012

Blessings.

Probably if you're reading this you know that my former father-in-law, Dr. James G. Teer passed away a couple of weeks ago. The above picture was taken at his and his wife, Joan's 50th wedding anniversary celebration in 2007. What a blessing he was in all the lives he touched through personal and professional relationships. He was a greatly accomplished man but you never would have heard that from him. His legacy through teaching, being professor Emeritus for the Wildlife Biology Department at Texas A&M University, and even perhaps more through his consulting work with wildlife scientists around the world. A true Texan and a fine man, I could not have asked for a better grandfather for my two older boys, Lucas and Justin. The man that he was and the experiences of knowing and loving him are remarkable and unique. The experiences I had being his daughter-in-law for over 11 years were remarkable. Thankfully, I have been blessed to remain close to my former in-laws and my wonderful sister-in-law, Jill. By crazy design of life, Jill and I live just within an hour of each other on the East Coast. There have been so many losses in my life recently but Grandaddy's passing was a blessing in the end after battling Louis Bodie disease; a form of dementia caused from a type of Parkinson's disease. His was a life to be celebrated, which the family did through his memorial service, he spent his life doing exactly what he loved most and was well awarded for it. The legacy of a teacher is forever. The legacy of him being a wonderful man, teacher, father, brother, husband, grandfather, and all of his other titles is endless. Thank you, Jim, for all the memories and blessings. I love you so.