My Second Dad
by Steve West on September 7, 2018

Earlier this week, I lost my father-in-law to lung cancer. He was a beautiful man who welcomed me into his family after marrying his oldest daughter. Family isn’t always blood. It’s people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are - the ones who would do anything to make you smile and love you no matter what. When someone you love dies… you never get over it. You just slowly get through each day. But you always keep them tucked safely in your heart. Death leaves a heartache that no one can heal but love leaves a memory that no one can take away. A devoted husband and adoring father, Norm’s heritage to his children isn’t words or possessions, but an unspoken treasure of his example as a man and a father. There are moments in life you wish you could bring someone down from heaven. To spend the day with them just one more time, to give them one more hug, to kiss them goodbye or hear their voice again. Just one more chance to say, “I love you.” Later, I’ll look forward to walking down “memory lane” because I know I’ll run into you there. As long as I breathe, you’ll be remembered.
Three Replies to My Second Dad
Scott Hardie | September 7, 2018
Very well-written tribute, Steve. I'm sorry for your loss. I remember you writing about Norm just two years ago as he was journaling after the loss of his wife. Your family is in my thoughts tonight.
Lori Lancaster | December 8, 2018
[hidden by author request]
Web Junkie
Steve West scours the Web searching for interest or absurdity and then shakes his head ruefully when he finds it. Read more »

My Faith in Humanity is Restored
This is a true story I saw on a travel blog website. Late one night, a woman and her husband received the tragic news that their three-year-old grandson in Denver had been murdered by their daughter’s live-in boyfriend. The boy was being taken off life support at 9 o’clock that evening and his parents opted for organ donation which would take place immediately upon his passing. Go »
Halloween Time
I waited until October to write a post regarding Halloween so credit me that much. It's still a little early but this stuff is pretty good. First, some really great costumes. Go »
And No Need for Anaesthesia
Recent conversation with Brenda: me: I've decided that I'm not going to play that "got your nose" game with our grandkids. Brenda: Oh, really? me: Yeah, I'm going to play "got your appendix" instead. Go »
Anger Management
When you occasionally have a really bad day, and you just need to take it out on someone, don’t take it out on someone you know, take it out on someone you don’t know, but you know deserves it. I was sitting at my desk when I remembered a phone call I’d forgotten to make. I found the number and dialed it. Go »
What Are We Gonna Do? Road Trip.
A brand new drug has come onto the market that is touted as being a treatment for autism. It's a homeopathic drug called Respen-A. It affects the malfunctioning areas of the brain typically associated with autistic children. Go »
Erik Bates | September 7, 2018
[hidden by author request]