Re: Ralph Weaver Rest in peace father.
 

Ryan,
so sorry for your loss. I lost my Dad in 2011 but I feel his presence with me wherever I go. Your strength will come from within and is because of him and your family.
RIP Mr. Weaver.

Re: Ralph Weaver Rest in peace father.
 

Ryan
I just saw this post. I am very sorry for your loss. I lost my Dad many years ago but what Wheelhop said is true. He is with me everyday. And I will see him again.
Jamie

Re: Ralph Weaver Rest in peace father.
 

Kind words!!

I feel like Dad is still on my side, and I know this is real.

He may be busy with carpentry projects, with the original carpenter but he will keep a close eye on us till we meet again.

Ryan

Re: Ralph Weaver Rest in peace father.
 

Ryan, I just saw this post..I am very sorry for your loss... My deepest condolences. God Bless..

Rich

Re: Ralph Weaver Rest in peace father.
 

Sorry for your loss Ryan. The loss of one’s father marks one of the most profound rites of passage in our lives. You're a good man, and I know that you'll make every effort to step up and fill his shoes for your family.

Re: Ralph Weaver Rest in peace father.
 

Thanks Rich, Thanks Helmut.

Ryan

Re: Ralph Weaver Rest in peace father.
 

Very sorry for your loss. God bless.

Re: Ralph Weaver Rest in peace father.
 

We are back to the normal hustle and bustle but keep Dad in our thoughts.

Mom is staying with us and she can have private time or family time as best suits her, it is a little security for all of us to stick together.

I lost a best friend when we were 25 and through that I made a choice to stay positive and remember the positives, the fun times, the friendship. That got me through John's death and I am using the same thought process to work through Dad's passing.

His mark is on every part of our home (my Olds) and to some degree every part of my life. We got closer and closer as I matured and became more friends than Father and Son. (But I still followed his lead:-)

Dad loved coming with me to car events and it was a joy for me.

This ended up a series of thoughts, not a story just what is rolling around in my mind.

Bottom line: Dad had a great life, he was a great man, he has a great legacy, and we miss him.

Ryan

Re: Ralph Weaver Rest in peace father.
 

[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: Ralph Weaver Rest in peace father.
 

This is what I shared at Dad's funeral.

Preparing and delivering this note (and I had to say it out loud to my family a few times to be able to get through it) was a little bit of therapy for me.

Ryan



Eulogy Nov 12, 2016
Ralph Merrill Weaver
So here we are……….
What is the meaning of all of this?
Why are we all here?
Put your hand in the air if you are here for Church lady sandwiches.
There must be a reason?
Everyone has changed their plans,
We got haircuts,
People trimmed their beards,
We got all gussied up,
Yes, REAL Church lady sandwiches made by REAL Church ladies are downstairs.
But why?
Greg quizzed us on Dad, and crafted a sermon.
Not like this, I just wrote this in the parking lot………… I don’t even know how it ends……… but yes, hopefully it will end soon.
People are expecting someone from the family to share stories about Dad and maybe cry.
I know we all have stories about Dad and of times spent with Dad, and of selfless things he did for us without any want for glory or thanks……….
My stories are no better than any of yours……….

I will share a few stories (we all have lots) and we can come back to this:

On a cold November morning three Weavers embarked on an adventure.
All the preparations were complete.
Dad’s truck was full of fossil fuels, a rented trailer was loaded with care, my old car was lashed down so tight we probably stretched the whole car a wee bit.

Dad dragged my old car all the way to Chicago Illinois to show it off in its dusty, rusty, Barn Find glory, and dragged it all the way home.
We spent five days together Dad, Jamie and myself, setting up the display, making friends with car guys from all over, helping out with show preparations, checking out the best, shiniest muscle cars from North America, eating hotel food, there are no Church lady sandwiches at car shows.
We had a wonderful time, every second!!!!

I always try to keep a close eye on anyone who comes with me to a car event to try to make sure I don’t take my obsession/passion way too far and bore them.
I watched Jamie and Dad all weekend and maybe for slightly different reasons but they truly enjoyed themselves and got right in on the festivities.
Dad would say to me repeatedly “do you remember when you opened the trunk and all those Oldsmobile experts rummaged through all the rusty parts in the trunk.”
Of course, I remember, but it meant to me that Dad was loving being part of his grown son’s passion and sharing his life with his grandkids.

Another Gem of a story that comes to mind is when Papa and Emily spent a lot of time together building a car and a house out of wood and screws and you name it.
Dad would help Emily with each step but not overtake the project.
Dad took the time to show the kids some tricks and some tips even though he could have zipped through it in a heartbeat. (clearly not the point)

A big part of Weaver fun for a lot of years was boating, one day in particular we remember was a Good Harbor day with Mom, Dad, Adam, Deanna, Amy, and myself. Mom and Dad made food and drinks and welcomed us for the day. Dad blew up a mattress and pulled us around with the dingy. Boating was a great way for Mom and Dad to get away and also have fun with family and friends.

I remember one day after Dad and Adam had returned from a bike trip, they had a great trip and on the way home there was rain, rain, rain, and more rain. Dad described the trip as a wild and wonderful adventure. He was so happy to share in our lives and these little adventures were a favorite of Dads.

Mom and Dad’s long awaited first grandchild was new on the scene and my Dad broke the mold.
Dad made special arrangements to visit during the day at perfect, agreed timing between feedings to take Emily away from Mommy on walks in the mall.
Can you imagine the beam on his face?
He had to be careful not to keep her away too long so Emily wouldn’t get upset or new mommy (Amy) wouldn’t get upset. (What Papa could ever strike that balance?)
I think we can all picture Dad calling Amy from parked up the street to show up at just the right moment to take this little pet for a walk.
After Jamie arrived Dad made special arrangements to take both kids out in the double stroller.
Involvement in one’s grandkids life is a decision just like all things in life.
Dad decided he was going to go big.

Back to the question at hand, why are we here?

As far as I can tell we are here to let a little more of Dads spirit seep into us.
We are here to support each other in our sadness and loss.
We are here to learn a little bit more about Dad, we all know him in different contexts.
We are here to grieve and to find closure on a life well lived but also closure on a life that has ended.
We are here because we should be here, My Dad would want me here, so I am here.
We are here because we have been shown great respect by Dad and now we need to show even greater respect in return.
We are here to make up for any missed opportunities with Dad, and we all have them.
This is a board meeting with god to share a message with Dad that we never wanted to see you sad or hurting, or sick, or disappointed, and we REALLY didn’t want to see you mad.

I think the bottom line is not really WHY we are here, the bottom line is just THAT

We ARE Here Dad.

Re: Ralph Weaver Rest in peace father.
 

Very nicely said Ryan. I am fortunate to still have both parents but everyone knows you can't stop time and must enjoy every moment you have with them. Wishing you and your family the best moving forward.

Re: Ralph Weaver Rest in peace father.
 

Ryan -- your Father will ALWAYS be with you and yours ... TAZ [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

Ryan,

I often think of your Dad.....he was a great Father and Role Model and Best Friend.
Continue to celebrate your Dad and remember all the fun times and memories.
We will salute your Dad in two weeks at Joe's and MCACN.

See you soon my friend :)

Dan

Thanks Dan.

We are thinking of Dad today more than normal.

See you real soon!!

Ryan W31

Great pictures of your father and family. Wishing you strength and peace during this time.

Many thanks.

It helps to take a few minutes and feel the feels. A day or a decade doesn’t change the feels.

Ryan W31

Very sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing...

Much appreciated.

Dad passed 3 years ago yesterday.

Ryan W31

Today marks the 5 year anniversary of Dad’s passing.

It doesn’t seem possible but it is.

Miss you Dad.

I sure hope you get regular updates about the awesome family you started.

Ryan W31

I am sure he keeps a close eye on you and your family. I think he did a pretty good job from what I can see.

They are always there Ryan, looking over your shoulder, keeping you out of harms way. And I am sure he checks in regularly in the site just to see what you are wrenching on.....lol.

Time heals a lot of wounds....

Paul

Ryan, from what I know about you and what I’ve heard you say about your father, he was a good man. I know he’s proud of you and your family.

Coincidentally, today also marks the 24th year anniversary of the passing of my father. It’s never an easy day, but fortunately we have fantastic memories of these men that shaped our lives. Take care buddy!

so very sorry Ryan. I met him in 18 when all of us pushed your Olds across the floor on load in day.

I had forgotten about that...… I ran out of gas...… on the MCACN show floor.... at least I didn't have too much gas (as the fire chief checks each car)


Honestly my Dad loved that type of thing so much, he was always wondering how I knew all of y'all????? And jumping in to help anyone was his absolute strongest trait.


Ryan W31.

Thanks Helmut.


I am sure 5 or 24 years makes no difference, they are in our hearts and minds.


Ryan W31.

Thanks Paul.


I feel the same way, he is always close by.


I especially feel him leaning on my shoulder when I am chatting with my own kids (who are junior-adults now) I take a very similar approach to how Dad raised my brother and I.


Ryan W31.

Miss you Mr. Weaver....remembering the Good Times.

Very sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family.

I remember a few times Dad I were chatting about my Cutlass restoration and he says WWDD….. what would Dan do?

:-)

Ryan W31

Thank you.

Mom is OTW for dinner and I’ll share these touching comments.

Ryan W31

Hi Ryan,


You dad is still with you :)


Here's a few shots that you should remember :biggthumpup:






Attachment 206923





Attachment 206924

That last one is a great photo of you all Ryan. Sorry to hear of your dad's passing.

RIP Ralph.

Thanks.

He was a great guy!!

Ryan W31

I’m sorry, this post escaped my seeing, till now. My sincere condolences for your loss. A fitting tribute you have shared. God speed.

Thanks.

A cousin recently connected with a long lost family member and shared this picture of my Dad in Grandmas arms. She still looks the same :-)

Ryan W31

She tells us she was the youngest Mom with the biggest baby in the hospital

:-)

Ryan W31