Letter from Laree's First Husband David to her Father Kent
09/07/07 20:05
Initial Comment by Laree: My mother,
Alice Mae White Esplin, died October 19, 1985. I
was so grateful to have my husband, Dave Thomas,
to be a sensitive, patient, support at that time.
I couldn't imagine how I could have survived that
loss without him. However, when Dave died in
1994, I was overwhelmed with the injustice of
having to survive losing my husband, and not
having my mother to help me survive it. Dave had
also been very affected by my mother's death.
That got him thinking about what was important to
him, and the fragility of life. He wrote this
letter to my father:
Initial Comment by Laree: My mother,
Alice Mae White Esplin, died October 19, 1985. I
was so grateful to have my husband, Dave Thomas,
to be a sensitive, patient, support at that time.
I couldn't imagine how I could have survived that
loss without him. However, when Dave died in
1994, I was overwhelmed with the injustice of
having to survive losing my husband, and not
having my mother to help me survive it. Dave had
also been very affected by my mother's death.
That got him thinking about what was important to
him, and the fragility of life. He wrote this
letter to my father:
January 9, 1986
Dear Kent;
I feel the need to express some of my inner thoughts to you.
I have never told you how I have grown to love you in the few years we have known each other. [they met in 1977] You have filled a large, empty space in my life, that area intended for a Father. I never really had a father, and so I really never understood its meaning until I met you. You are a model, and a superior one!
I have learned so many things of value from you over the years: strength, courage, patience, tolerance, are a few. But!, highest on the list is love.
The example you set in your daily life has given meaning to the words, "Love One Another."
I have come to understand that you have spent your life doing for others. And because of you, I understand that it's the real way to happiness.
Because of the foundation you gave Laree, my life is one that I could not have even imagined ten years ago. So, my daily life has been deeply touched by your previous labors. And, believe me, they were not in vain.
When you and Alice welcomed me into your family, it gave me a first chance to experience "a family." I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I never took the time to tell Alice so many things. I am sure she knows, and sometime you will tell her, if not. I don't want to take any chance that you won't know.
I don't want to lose you, I still have so very much to learn from you. But with your health problems...I just want you to know--I love you.
Your son-in-law,
David
January 9, 1986
Dear Kent;
I feel the need to express some of my inner thoughts to you.
I have never told you how I have grown to love you in the few years we have known each other. [they met in 1977] You have filled a large, empty space in my life, that area intended for a Father. I never really had a father, and so I really never understood its meaning until I met you. You are a model, and a superior one!
I have learned so many things of value from you over the years: strength, courage, patience, tolerance, are a few. But!, highest on the list is love.
The example you set in your daily life has given meaning to the words, "Love One Another."
I have come to understand that you have spent your life doing for others. And because of you, I understand that it's the real way to happiness.
Because of the foundation you gave Laree, my life is one that I could not have even imagined ten years ago. So, my daily life has been deeply touched by your previous labors. And, believe me, they were not in vain.
When you and Alice welcomed me into your family, it gave me a first chance to experience "a family." I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I never took the time to tell Alice so many things. I am sure she knows, and sometime you will tell her, if not. I don't want to take any chance that you won't know.
I don't want to lose you, I still have so very much to learn from you. But with your health problems...I just want you to know--I love you.
Your son-in-law,
David