Jennifer Howard
November 15, 2022
Thank you to everyone who has come in person or expressed condolences for my father.
My Dad was a huge part of my world. He and my mom are my biggest heroes and my biggest cheerleaders. I call them every day on the way home from work and I would wait for my dad to answer with either his worst female impression voice, or my other favorite, when he asks who it is (fully knowing it's me) and I jokingly say, oh it's your favorite daughter, and he replies, "Oh! it's Carra.” (And by the way, he did the same to Carra.)
His sense of humor and caring heart were, to me, enviable, but his love of his family and his faith in God was immeasurable.
When my husband was gravely ill a few years ago, I called him looking for comfort and wisdom. And that's exactly what I got. He told me, above all the things that were happening, to remember my faith and trust in God. He has a plan, and no matter how stubborn we are and no matter how hard we push against it, it doesn't change. God decides what happens next. I remember asking him how he stayed so calm and unshakable in his faith, he told me that, when you've seen the things he has in life- when you've been to war- when you've seen all of those horrible things, the day to day problems are small, and God will take on the rest. I'm still relying heavily on those words these past few months and even this past year.
We, my brother and sister, and I lost our father. Some of you lost your uncle, your friend, your brother, but my mom- she lost her best friend. The love of her life, her everyday person.
The love they have for each other set a bar for all of their children to achieve. They are, in my eyes, what love and longevity in marriage looks like. All of it. Every happy part, every sad part, every struggle, and every triumph.
I could talk about all of the amazing things he has done, the kindness he has shown, the love silly things he did, for hours or even days. These stories would be endless. I'm so thankful for each and every one of those memories.
I largely measure myself as a parent, by how well I teach and prepare my sons to live and survive in a world without me someday.
Looking at my brother, sister, myself, and everyone else he has taken under his wing as his own, he was infinitely successful. He was, without a doubt the best poppa we could have asked for, and the greatest man I've known.
I love you, Poppa. Thank you for loving all of us too.