My year

Amy’s family moved back to Michigan.  They moved into Dad’s house at the beginning of last year, 2017.  Amy moved out a week before this happened into their own house.

People have been telling me that I should do this more, so I am going to begin again.

In my mind I keep on asking why?

Why did God take:

Gramma Worst,

Grandpa Worst,

Grandpa Van Andel,

My mom,

many others I have loved over the years,

and now,

my dad?

On  February 19, 2017. The past week, dad and I had the opportunity to see lots of our friends and family.

It was pretty special as we don’t usually see everyone all in one week!

We felt very happy!

This past Sunday morning began like many other Sunday mornings,

Breakfast, coffee, and off to church.

At church, people were extra friendly and happy.

Who wouldn’t be with the incredible February weather we were having?

Good job God, I thought to myself.

We returned home to a beautiful, warm Sunday afternoon.

Dad took a nap and I worked on my computer just as we did every Sunday.

After resting for a bit, dad did his usual household chores and headed outside.

Outside to have another dam cigarette, I suppose.

What I did not realize is that God had another plan.

I headed back to my room for a while.

After a bit I realized that I had not heard dad in a while.

I headed outside just to be sure he was okay.

As I looked out the slider, I didn’t see him.

A few days earlier I had wanted him to put a “find friends” app on his phone, just in case…

I opened the garage to see if he had left in the van, but no, it was still there.

So back to the slider and out on the deck I went.

There he was near the driveway, taking another nap, so I thought.

Usually I have difficulty getting down our ramp.

Today was different,

I just whizzed down the ramp! I thought, pretty cool, I could not believe it!

There was dad. I yelled at him as best I could, and then began kicking him to wake him up.

He did not move. His arm flopped.

That’s the moment I realized he was gone.

My dad was a great man!

He never hesitated to help me or anyone else in need.

He and I always imagined what life would be like if God has chosen to give me a different body.

Dad also wondered why God allowed me to be this way.

God grieved the death of his son, and we grieve the death of our dad.

God knows what we need and He will provide.

As my family and friends, I would like to ask for your prayers.

We will face a lot of challenges as we try to figure out what the new normal will be. Thank you to Darryl for reading this at Dad’s funeral for me.

It has been tough going through this journey, but I saw and am seeing God all over the place.  I moved into a group home.  The house is south of Grand Rapids where I am not used to at all.  I moved in May 18.  It was very difficult adjusting, and it still is.

For a time I moved into a group home.  But it wasn’t the right fit, but I knew I needed some more help other than my family.  We sold Dad’s house that we had lived in very quickly.

I moved this early-January to a better place.  I moved into David’s House which is a Christian Ministry in Wyoming, Michigan.  There are many houses right by each other.  I am at Rockford Christian School on Mondays and Tuesdays because they don’t have transportation like my past house.  You could pray for that for me.  I am also at the other Grand Rapids Christian Middle School a couple days a week, on Thursdays and Fridays to help out there.  This is totally a God-thing because I really don’t know why or how I am moving so fast in the process.  Normally the waiting list is really long and takes a long time to have an opening.  That is why I am moved now as a spot opened up for me.   I am sure some people know already but I would like everyone to know.  I would appreciate prayers for my adjustment and making new friends and for missing my friends at RCS.  God has bigger plans and I trust Him.

It’s been a year today since my Dad died.  Some days are easy, other days are really difficult.  I remember it like it was five minutes ago. My brothers and sister and families try to get together about once or twice a month to spend time together.  We usually get together  at Scott’s  house which is , but it is also hard for me because my Dad and I spent a lot of time at Scott’s house.

My jobs are going very good.  Riding on the Go Bus is going pretty good.  It is a bit tricky for Barkley but I think I will like it more as I ride it more.  I know Barkley will get used to it.  I like going to the other school because there is a lot more people to get to know, at the same time I am sad to not be at Rockford Christian every day.  I really do the same kind of work at both schools but I need to get to know the people more.  I have spent fifteen years working at RCS so I know it will take time at the other school too.

Tonight, on this anniversary, I got together with family so please pray for us.  It has been a long year, but a short one.

Until next time,

Dave