A Celebration of Life

With Jimmy Buffett serenading me in the background for moral support and a mimosa for creative juices - I've taken to the internet for the best way to put this.

I tried Google.
'Light hearted ways to announce a fathers passing'
and 'Top 10 funny obituary's.' 
None of which I would recommend. 

So I'll start with what I know -

Dad was born and raised in Lyle, Washington in May of 1966 to Dennis & Sondra Clark. Much like Spencer and I, Dad spent endless days on Sondino Ranch with his little sister Gina and loads of good friends. He found love and married Mom in 1987, which took him away from Washington to Gresham, Oregon. Spencer was born in 1989 and I blessed the family with my presence in 1992. (thank god).
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On our recent road trip to Austin, TX Dad said to me unproptemed, "you know Mad, I would like to think" *dramatic pause* "that even if people don’t come out right and say it - you should always be able to tell how much someone loves you by their actions."

We weren't talking about anything in particular leading into this.
In fact - the sentiment took me a little off guard. Feelings arent really our thing. 
“Got it,” I said, as he continued to wave YouTube videos in my face as I drove us along.

Now over  the last few weeks we have enjoyed hearing numerous stories from all of you.
Stories of ways that Dad may not have told you, but showed you, that he loved each of you very much.

Because now I understand, what could possibly say I love you more than riding stuffed to the gills in a Jeep with your daughter and her disobedient dog for 5 days over 2,000 miles. Footing the gas bill and doing 95% of the driving. 

At some point over the past 30 days, Dad told Spencer, Mom and I that although one hopes that the people you care about show up for you when you need them, you never know if they will until they do.

Well.
In person. In text. By phone. By thoughts and prayer. 
We continue to feel you all show up.  

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Come show up with us on Dad's birthday, May 11th 2019 - to toast, roast and shed some tears.

We will begin at 11 o'clock at St. Peter's Landmark in the Dalles, OR with a reception to follow at Sunshine Mill Winery from 1-4:00.


xo, MC, LC, & SC