Dick Petit.

When I asked Dick Petit if I could marry his daughter, he paused, and then simply said, "You seem like you are a level-headed young man. Yes, you can marry my daughter." That was it. I didn't think much of it at the time. I had my ring, my clearance from the tower and I was good to go. It wasn't until years later after building a few "very" straight brick walls and hanging some very straight pictures that I realized just how important the concept of level was to Dick Petit. It was then that I realized that Dick had imparted to me directions on how to love his beautiful daughter for a lifetime. His directions, as I have to come know them: Keep it level, keep it true, and by all means, stay the course.

You see, Dick was the perfect father-in-law. He didn't like to give advice...even when asked for it. He didn't mess in our affairs. Dick liked to use moments to share information and if you were lucky enough to be within an earshot and grasped what he was saying then you were blessed.

It was a day like any other day. Dick and I were on a porch swing watching Cole, his grandson, who was running around when he says, "I don't know if I appreciated my kids as much as I appreciate that little boy." Now I know what kind of father he was so I know not loving his kids is what he meant. In his simple way was giving a young father simple directions to love his boy for a lifetime. "Keep it level, keep it true, and by all means, stay the course."

The date was July 21, 2006. Krista was off doing opening night for Brigadoon at the theatre in Corona and I was pulling kid duty. At about 9:15 I got a phone call and I just knew. I just knew. The officer on the other end told me that "Richard Petit died" and that I was to come to the house. I stood there for a moment. Then, walked over the kids, leaned over, hands on knees and told them that "Grandpa Dick just died and I need to be Grandma Cookie". Telling Cole that his biggest fan has left this earth was the hardest thing I have ever had to do...for about a half an hour.

When I got to the house I was instructed to get Krista and bring her to the house. Now, officially the hardest thing I have ever had to do. When I got to the theatre I walked around back where I met Cyndi Monroe and told her the news. Krista came out from the middle of the production I didn't have to say a word. She knew right away. It was in my eyes. She lost her biggest fan.

We have had rough days in the last year. Some tears. Very fond memories and moments where we think "Dick would have loved this party, or this parade, or this music." The pain is mellowing into moments and memories. All I can do is move forward, "Keep it level, keep it true, and by all means, stay the course."