Monday, January 31, 2011

Hello...

Hello, friends.
To say the past 18 days have been
hard is an understatement.
Those of you who do not know me personally,
we lost Ryan's father, Ed Soladay, suddenly on Friday, January 14.

You might remember that Ryan and I had just
spent 7 fantastic days visiting his parents in NY
just after Christmas, and as my brother said in Ed's eulogy,
we will probably remember that as our best vacation ever.

Ed was not just my father-in-law.
He was a man I loved and respected as much as my own father.
He was a man of integrity,
taught his son never to take the easy way out or rely on others
to bail him out of difficult circumstances,
taught him how to be a dedicated father and loving husband,
loved his family more than anything in the world
and was humble despite his esteemed level of professional success.

Ryan and I returned from NY last night,
and after we put the boys to bed, we sat and talked about life after his father.
It still doesn't seem real.
So many plans left undone.
So much life was still left to be lived.
Ryan told me that he was so glad he was able to share his father with me.
I feel so blessed for that time over the past 4 years.

Although he is no longer physically here with our family,
he will always be in our hearts and
his name and legacy will live on in his son, my husband.
I will always be proud to be Ed and Carol Soladay's daughter-in-law,
and Ryan Soladay's wife.
Somehow our little family will get through this time,
despite feeling like it's not possible at the moment,
because that's what Ed would want us to do.

We love and miss you, Ed, every single minute of every single day.

20 comments:

Amanda said...

That made me cry my eyes out.....I am so incredibly sorry for your loss, I can't even imagine. I am so happy ya'll were able to spend that time with him over the holiday! Thinking of you during this difficult time and prayers coming your way!!!

Heather said...

Oh Allison. I have been thinking about and praying for you guys so much since I heard the news. I've been waiting for you to blog, checking in often. I knew your lack of blogging meant you were grieving. It was so evident how much you loved and respected Ed, and Carol too. I'm so glad that you got to spend time with him in December. I'm so sorry for your family's loss.

Dee Stephens said...

I, too, have been thinking of you once I heard the news.
Even though we've never met know that I felt for you and said prayers for your family.
Stay strong.
xoxo,
Dee

donatelli98 said...

Allison - so sorry to hear this. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers!

The Lenzers said...

I am so very sorry for your loss. I will continue to pray for you and your family. I know you loved him and will cherish his memory.

Stacey said...

I am very sorry for your loss.

Chani said...

Allison, I'm so, so sorry for your loss. I truly don't know what to say. I'll be praying for you and your sweet family. Love you girlie.

Impulsive Addict said...

I was fine until that video. I'm so sorry, Allison. That is just heart breaking. It makes me wanna call my Daddy just to say "I love you".

Sara said...

What a wonderful tribute to Ed!! I know he's looking down and smiling after watching that video. And it's so obvious what a wonderful man he was. And how happy he was with his life.

Thinking about you all and hoping it gets easier day by day.
Mwah! Love you tons!! xoxo

Amanda M. said...

I am so sorry for your loss and will keep your family in my prayers.

Amy Mahrer said...

Oh Allison, I am SO sorry for your loss. Sending prayers during this time to you and your family.

Unknown said...

So sorry to hear of your loss. The video was a lovely tribute to an obviously loving Father, husband and Grandfather. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. <3 Paula

La said...

Allison, I am so sorry for your family's loss. It is easy to see, after watching the video, why you loved him so much.

My thoughts are with you, Ryan, Carol and the boys as you grieve your loss and begin to find your new normal. Sending a warm embrace to each of you. La

merrilee said...

That was so touching. A picture says a thousand words....and those pictures made it obvious what a caring husband, father, and grandfather Ed was. So sorry for you and your family. Lots of hugs and kisses your way.

Sharon said...

Oh Allison, I am so sorry. After seeing those pictures, I feel like I know why he was so special to you. It is obvious how much he loved his family in every one of them. I'll be thinking of you and praying for God to give you an extra measure of peace and strength these next few days. xoxo

Merry Mack said...

What a lovely post. I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts. May your memories give you strength. You are both blessed to have just spent time with them both.

Anonymous said...

Allison, I am so sorry for your loss. We lost Brandon's father suddenly 2 years ago and it was absolutely devastating. I know that you loved this man greatly. I love what you said about his legacy living on in his son, your sweet husband. I am praying for your family. Your video was a beauutiful tribute. Love you friend.

9405018--Pat said...

So sorry for your loss.Prayers and hugs....Pat H

starnes family said...

How did I miss this?

Lovely video. Beautifully put together.

SASS said...

I can't believe I didn't comment after I watched this- did I text you maybe? Totally ugly crying. Again. Beautiful video. What a great man.

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Monday, January 31, 2011

Hello...

Hello, friends.
To say the past 18 days have been
hard is an understatement.
Those of you who do not know me personally,
we lost Ryan's father, Ed Soladay, suddenly on Friday, January 14.

You might remember that Ryan and I had just
spent 7 fantastic days visiting his parents in NY
just after Christmas, and as my brother said in Ed's eulogy,
we will probably remember that as our best vacation ever.

Ed was not just my father-in-law.
He was a man I loved and respected as much as my own father.
He was a man of integrity,
taught his son never to take the easy way out or rely on others
to bail him out of difficult circumstances,
taught him how to be a dedicated father and loving husband,
loved his family more than anything in the world
and was humble despite his esteemed level of professional success.

Ryan and I returned from NY last night,
and after we put the boys to bed, we sat and talked about life after his father.
It still doesn't seem real.
So many plans left undone.
So much life was still left to be lived.
Ryan told me that he was so glad he was able to share his father with me.
I feel so blessed for that time over the past 4 years.

Although he is no longer physically here with our family,
he will always be in our hearts and
his name and legacy will live on in his son, my husband.
I will always be proud to be Ed and Carol Soladay's daughter-in-law,
and Ryan Soladay's wife.
Somehow our little family will get through this time,
despite feeling like it's not possible at the moment,
because that's what Ed would want us to do.

We love and miss you, Ed, every single minute of every single day.

20 comments:

Amanda said...

That made me cry my eyes out.....I am so incredibly sorry for your loss, I can't even imagine. I am so happy ya'll were able to spend that time with him over the holiday! Thinking of you during this difficult time and prayers coming your way!!!

Heather said...

Oh Allison. I have been thinking about and praying for you guys so much since I heard the news. I've been waiting for you to blog, checking in often. I knew your lack of blogging meant you were grieving. It was so evident how much you loved and respected Ed, and Carol too. I'm so glad that you got to spend time with him in December. I'm so sorry for your family's loss.

Dee Stephens said...

I, too, have been thinking of you once I heard the news.
Even though we've never met know that I felt for you and said prayers for your family.
Stay strong.
xoxo,
Dee

donatelli98 said...

Allison - so sorry to hear this. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers!

The Lenzers said...

I am so very sorry for your loss. I will continue to pray for you and your family. I know you loved him and will cherish his memory.

Stacey said...

I am very sorry for your loss.

Chani said...

Allison, I'm so, so sorry for your loss. I truly don't know what to say. I'll be praying for you and your sweet family. Love you girlie.

Impulsive Addict said...

I was fine until that video. I'm so sorry, Allison. That is just heart breaking. It makes me wanna call my Daddy just to say "I love you".

Sara said...

What a wonderful tribute to Ed!! I know he's looking down and smiling after watching that video. And it's so obvious what a wonderful man he was. And how happy he was with his life.

Thinking about you all and hoping it gets easier day by day.
Mwah! Love you tons!! xoxo

Amanda M. said...

I am so sorry for your loss and will keep your family in my prayers.

Amy Mahrer said...

Oh Allison, I am SO sorry for your loss. Sending prayers during this time to you and your family.

Unknown said...

So sorry to hear of your loss. The video was a lovely tribute to an obviously loving Father, husband and Grandfather. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. <3 Paula

La said...

Allison, I am so sorry for your family's loss. It is easy to see, after watching the video, why you loved him so much.

My thoughts are with you, Ryan, Carol and the boys as you grieve your loss and begin to find your new normal. Sending a warm embrace to each of you. La

merrilee said...

That was so touching. A picture says a thousand words....and those pictures made it obvious what a caring husband, father, and grandfather Ed was. So sorry for you and your family. Lots of hugs and kisses your way.

Sharon said...

Oh Allison, I am so sorry. After seeing those pictures, I feel like I know why he was so special to you. It is obvious how much he loved his family in every one of them. I'll be thinking of you and praying for God to give you an extra measure of peace and strength these next few days. xoxo

Merry Mack said...

What a lovely post. I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts. May your memories give you strength. You are both blessed to have just spent time with them both.

Anonymous said...

Allison, I am so sorry for your loss. We lost Brandon's father suddenly 2 years ago and it was absolutely devastating. I know that you loved this man greatly. I love what you said about his legacy living on in his son, your sweet husband. I am praying for your family. Your video was a beauutiful tribute. Love you friend.

9405018--Pat said...

So sorry for your loss.Prayers and hugs....Pat H

starnes family said...

How did I miss this?

Lovely video. Beautifully put together.

SASS said...

I can't believe I didn't comment after I watched this- did I text you maybe? Totally ugly crying. Again. Beautiful video. What a great man.