Jupiter

I saw Jupiter last night. In a clear, bright, BIG Wisconsin sky. It was beautiful. Today almost took my breath away as we drove through the southwestern part of Wisconsin. The sun was shining, there wasn't a cloud in the sky, and it was beautiful. The trees were all different colors of fall and there was a new view every time we came up over a hill. Thank you for the peace that it brought me. Especially after the past couple of weeks I've had.

I told my best friend the other night that now that you're gone, you work in mysterious ways. And there you were last night. And today. Gorgeous.

It's crazy how such tragedy can bring about such beautiful things. I wouldn't have known what to do these past three weeks had it not been for your death. I wouldn't have known the right things to say had it not been for you.

The death of someone near and dear does not come with a manual. There are no instructions to follow. So instead, I followed my heart...and it led me to have one of the most memorable nights and one of the most memorable days with people I love. People that accept me for all my flaws and mistakes and bad days.

Not every tragedy needs to have a tragic ending. Your tragedy gave me the strength, courage, and heart to do what I did this weekend. Your tragedy gave me the wisdom to say and do the right things. Your tragedy gave me serenity in mourning the death of someone you love and to celebrate the things they did while they were alive; the things you are doing now that you're gone.

So - grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Love you, Dad, with a heart as big as the Wisconsin sky.