Jeff, I am so sorry for your loss, the loss of your mother-in-law, the loss of your family as it once was and you wish for it to be.
Your willingness to put your hurt, and your feelings of loss, sadness, and anger aside, and go there, to be with your family, was incredibly selfless and courageous. It was the right thing to do, it was also the generous and loving thing to do. From you, we've come to expect nothing less.
Your wife's family will always remember that you were there for them. But more importantly, your children will always remember that you were there, that there was no hesitation, no discussion or angst, or Mom and Dad in protracted, difficult conversations about go, pick up, drop off, meet here, blah, blah, blah...you just went, like the man and the dad that you are, to be with your family during a time when families come together and are there for one another. You showed them, in that span of 24 hours, what a father does, what a man does, and that they can expect you to be there for them. Believe me when I say this, that was a powerful lesson for them, and they will not forget that.
Remember how this feels and build on it as you go forward, whatever the future may bring. This is the kind of man and father your children need in their life, this is what you have the capacity to give to them.
I hope it's not presumptuous to say that I am proud of you, and proud to know you. You have taught me so much about what men should and can be, and that men with that kind of courage still exist.
Again, my sympathies are with you, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers, blessings, BA
