My father-in-law passed away last week after a battle with cancer. We will miss him terribly, but we’re also glad he is no longer suffering. He was a wonderful man, one of the kindest people I ever knew. He was always so encouraging about my writing, long before I was published, always telling me that I should never give up. And even though he was more a Tom Clancy reader than a romance reader, he bought every book I wrote and had me autograph it to him.I met him at my first job out of college, which is also where I met my husband. I was a lowly junior accountant and he was Vice President of Engineering and Manufacturing, but he always treated me with respect. He was a soft-spoken man, originally from Norway. He came to the US in the late fifties, and though he had graduated with an engineering degree from a college in Sweden, the only job he could get here was as a teacher’s assistant at Stanford University. The professor was so impressed with him, he helped my father-in-law get a scholarship, and he eventually graduated from Stanford. All this while supporting a wife and four sons! He was very smart, always having the answer to any question. I enjoyed our talks over the years. When he retired, he moved to Hawaii, so we didn’t see him as often, but we always had a place to stay over there.
We lost him too soon. I am grateful that we were able to see him just a couple of weeks ago in Hawaii and that our Norwegian cousins were able to spend time with him also. Per, we’ll miss you and will always think of you fondly.
The Principal’s Office is out 2/7, but I decided to blog about my father-in-law instead. I’ll be back with more on the book next week. I'm also doing several blogs. Please see the list under Upcoming Releases & Blogs. Sinful and Saucy Reviews is doing a contest for two copies of The Principal's Office, so don't miss out: http://www.saucyandsinfulreviews.com/2012/02/conversation-contest-with-author-of.html
10 comments:
Oh honey, I'm so sorry to hear this. Give Ole a hug for me!!!
Thank you so much, T. I'll give him the hug. He'll appreciate it. It's been a hard few months for everyone.
he sounds pretty awesome.prayers for you and your family
reese
What a beautiful tribute to Per. My heart aches for you and Ole. Know that I'm hugging you both and sending love as your family grieves.
Thank you, Reese. He was awesome.
And thank you, Rosemary. I appreciate those hugs.
I am late in coming here bt wanted to say so sorry for your loss, Jasmine. Your FIL sounds like a great man, very talented and loving. I am sure he will be missed. I am glad you had this time together though and that he was so encouraging of your writing.
Looking forward "To the Principal's Office', sounds like a juicy, fun story, my type...I have a thing for single moms.
Jasmine, belated condolences to you and your family. I'm so sorry you've lost such a warm and loving part of your family, and am so glad that you all have such rich and wonderful memories--what a legacy he's left in you!
Thank you so much, Clio and Fedora. As you both said, he was a wonderful, inspiring man We just returned from his funeral in Norway, where we laid him to rest next to my husband's mother. May he rest in peace. It was a bright, sunny day for his send-off. I much prefer that to gloomy. He will definitely be missed.
So, so sad! My thoughts are with you and your family! It's so hard to see them suffer but hopefully they are in a much better place and in peace. I apologize for the lateness of this post.
Thank you so much, Shelley. I really appreciate your kind words, and they are never too late.
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