My Dad-in-law

This is my dad-in-law, Kenneth Tetloff. A wonderful man with a passionate heart, an understanding man full of patience, someone with a true sense of life towards anything living whether it be people or animals or plants, a man who had many stories to tell about his own life.

He had lung cancer and died Wednesday October 3 just as he wanted; peacefully at home surrounded by family.

The previous week dad said he had a conversation with St. Peter and was told he would leave us at 3:30PM Wednesday. Dad spoke the truth about the future. He died shortly before 3:30. During life he didn't like being late for appointments.

That day Marty calIed me at work and said dad had only hours left. I rushed to get there and was able to spend a private hour with dad. I spoke to him, held his hand, stroked his forehead and although he was unconscious on pain meds., he opened his eyes and looked directly into mine for a few seconds. I knew he heard my words to him.

During those few seconds while we looked at each other I felt something inside me change. I felt lighter somehow. My tears became a smile because we both knew he had just passed a part of himself into me. When I said, "Yes, I have it", he closed his eyes. What dad passed to me was his optimism and his view that life is good no matter the hardships.

The following day at the clinic was crazy, hectic and demanding, but I spent the day lighthearted and patient even though grieving the loss of dad. I never got stressed, never had a negative thought or feeling. I thought it was just a one day thing that dad passed to me, but five days later, I still feel the lightness he gave me.

I am very blessed to have a part of dad passed to me.