Papa

Matt's Dad passed away unexpectedly on Friday. We are all so sad. We don't know for sure what happened, just that he died of natural causes.

We've spent the last six days in Elkin. Mandy and her family drove in from Texas. Ira got to meet Laura.

The outpouring of support was incredible. Al was the pharmacist people called instead of calling their doctors, a deacon in the church, boy scout leader for 14 years. He was a loving husband, devoted father, caring son and the best papa ever.

Matt, Ira and Mandy spoke at the funeral service on Tuesday. Matt talked about the wonderful friends he has to get him through this time, the spouse that he loves with all of his heart, all of the best things he has in his life he has thanks to who his dad was. He also talked about how everything happens for a reason. When he was eight years old he spent the week at boy scout camp and got hazed. When he came back he joined as different troupe with his dad as scout master where he stayed on as scout master for the next 14 years. 14 years of scouting because of those kids who stole Matt's pocketknife. Ira is a punk rocker and really is an artist. He went from talking about small things like getting a hole in one in mini-golf last week because his dad taught him how to putt to big things like being adopted and how he couldn't have chosen a better family. Mandy did a great job. She talked about Al's legacy. About how the most important thing to him was making sure his children loved the Lord and how today this is the most important thing to her. Camden, her four year old, stood up with her and sang Psalm 23 for us. It was moving.

We love you, Papa. You will be in our hearts always.