To My Stepdad, Kip

My stepdad, Kip, passed away last week, so I went to be with him during his final moments, and went to spend time with my Mom and sister. I have to be honest—it was one of the most difficult weeks of my life. And anytime I experience a big moment—both good and bad—the only reaction that seems right is to capture it, somehow.

I haven’t had to deal with a passing in the family in quite a while. I am very thankful that these emotions haven’t visited me in years, as no one needs to experience this sort of event often.

I’ve been able to process some of my thoughts about my stepdad, and here are some of the things from his life I admired the most:

1. Kip wanted everyone to know Jesus. Since he found God and experienced His goodness, his main mission was to tell others about Christ. Gotta love a man with conviction and purpose.

2. Kip loved my Mom immensely. Their love for one another inspired others. I overheard one of my mom’s friends tell her after Kip passed that most women would be jealous for the love they had for one another and I have to agree it was remarkable.

3. Kip loved his kids so much. He always talked about them and always had a smile on his face when he spoke about them. As a father, I know that there wasn’t a minute that went by that he didn’t think about them and the relationship is truly beautiful. He also loved his grandkids and would always ask how my kids were doing. They loved grandpa Kip very much.

4. Kip was an artist during the years that I knew him. But with him also previously operating businesses and owning real estate, our discussions were many times focused on business. I cherished these conversations so much.

5. Kip’s art is absolutely beautiful. As I’m in their house, at home to be with mom, looking at his art, I can only imagine who or what he was thinking of as he took brush to canvas. Mom, his kids, my family, my sister and her family, the dogs, the sunshine, the wind blowing through the trees, the different places he lived? There were so many things he could be thinking of, but beauty of some sort must have been on his mind—because you feel it when you look at his art.

6. Kip had a great sense of humor and an even better laugh. It always felt good to make Kip laugh because you knew what you said had to be funny if he did.

7. Kip carefully chose the words he spoke, a commendable practice I want to portray in my own life. 

There are many other things I could write about his eighty-one years, but I will leave it at that for now. It was a pleasure, Kip. Until next time. Love you.