Dad is gone (as in back to Texas)

We took Dad to Carrington, ND this week and met my Aunt Arlene at my cousin's house there. She took him on to Fargo so he could fly out to join Mom at my nephew's graduation in Virginia, and from there will fly back to Texas with Mom. He's been with us since we left Texas, driving the Uhaul most of the way, and pitching in wherever needed. I miss having him here! He was an amazing help, and I miss being able to bounce ideas/plans off of him.

This story is an example of the gift of his wisdom. I was just finishing up my first attempt at an electric fence, and Dad said, "Now Bob, before we open that gate, we need to put a rope on that pony." So I went and got about an 8 foot nylon rope, but grabbed a 100 foot one as well. I handed him the 8 foot rope, and he said, "No, we should use the long one." We had a tough time just catching the pony to put the rope on. She seemed to enjoy the game. After we got the rope on, we opened the gate, and as the pony investigated the fresh grass in the new paddock, I discovered I had the fence just a little high. The pony made it halfway under the wire before she touched the wire in the middle of her back. She took off like a shot right out of the paddock.

I have no idea what would have transpired if I had not listened to Dad, and I'm glad I didn't have to find out. One thing I do know...putting a rope on that pony never crossed my mind.

Trevor and I were working in the UHaul today, and he said, "OK, how are we doing, and why are we doing so good?", which is a classic Dad line. Then he said, "I miss Grandpa!" We all do, and trust it will not be too long until he returns, and this time with Grandma along!