In Honor of Carl Ficker

One week ago yesterday we said goodbye to Ryan's dad, Carl. We were woken by a call at 1am by Ryan's mom Wanda letting us know of his passing. We had been anticipating that call. His health had declined rapidly in about a week's time so we knew it was a matter of days when he might pass. I got to say hi/goodbye on Saturday when I stopped over to their house. It was hard to see him in the shape that he was in so, for me, I know he's in a better place with no more pain.

Carl was a quiet man the years I knew him. I've been with Ryan for 13 years and will be married 10 of those years this year. Carl was diagnosed with Parkinsons a few years before I met Ryan I believe so I never really knew him without health issues...though back in those days when I first met him, he was doing very well and honestly didn't really pay much attention to the disease. Parkinsons was not something that defined Carl. It was just something that eventually took over like any neurological disease does.

Carl loved playing cards with Ryan. I probably will never be a card player but it was great to see them bond through playing Cribbage and other games (games that I have still yet to learn). I know it was something Ryan loved to do with his dad and I'm sure he'll miss those times.

Over the last 1.5 years we wanted them to move closer to us (they were living in Eastern WA) to be able to help them more when needed. We were so fortunate to have that work out and have them within 4 miles of our house. It was all God's timing as well. There was one rambler left in a new development neighborhood and if the house wasn't purchased that weekend there would have been no way to do some custom changes to accomodate a wheelchair after that weekend. It was a true God thing that we found this house (with the help of my good friend Leah who works for the builder). We were able to request a ramp to be added to the garage, a sloped front entrance instead of having stairs, a roll in shower with no tub in the master bath and wider doorways in some of the rooms....all things the builder did for no extra charge! Everyone was thankful it all worked out.
We have neem thankfuul for the time that we had with him and know he is walking and running around in heaven in a healthy body.