525,600 minutes

525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear
525,600 minutes how do you measure
Measure a year
In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife
In 525,600 minutes - how do you measure a year in the life
How about love
How about love
How about love
Measure in love
Seasons of love

525,600 minutes, 525,000 journeys to plan
525,600 minutes how can you measure the life of a woman or man
In truths that she learned, or in times that he cried
In bridges he burned, or the way that she died

It's time now to sing out, though the story never ends
Let's celebrate remember a year in the life of friends
Remember the love
Remember the love
Remember the love
Measure in love
Seasons of love
Seasons of love
(words and music by Jonathan Larson for the musical Rent)

A little over one year and twelve hours ago from this moment, we were sitting with Dad in the pre-op room giggling about whether or not using a pig replacement valve is Kosher. Little did we know then the way the next year would turn out.

Obviously the words to this song have taken on new meaning. We could certainly measure Dad's past year in times of strife, in times that he cried, or the way that he died, but that is not what he wanted. Dad would want us to remember the laughter, the truths we all learned, a year in the life of friends, and most importantly, remember the love. Add in a good cigar, a good wine, and a good game of dominoes with his wife and the people he loved...that is the perfect way to remember Dad.

Words cannot express our gratitude to all of you for your support, thoughts, prayers, tears, and love this past year. Like we have said before, Dad was the hub of the wheel...but somehow we have kept going. It hasn't been pretty, but we roll.

In my last post on July 9, I shared with everyone Mom and Dad's love story, from it's beginning in high school. The story was published in a book that I received the day after he died. It is published on page 241...February 4, 1991 is their anniversary. I don't think anyone can deny that Dad had the last word on the story.

The book is entitled Cup of Comfort for Couples. It is not officially due out until December 18 (which is, by the way, my grandfather's birthday.) It is a collection of short stories about love. The book is selling for approximately $10. However, I have the opportunity to purchase them for a discounted price in larger quantities. IF you are interested in your own copy of the book, please consider "ordering" through me. You can "pay" me the regular amount but I will donate the difference between what I pay and the regular price to Craig Hospital in Dad's name. It truly is a remarkable place. Perhaps Mom and Dad's love for each other, as retold in a story, can help the love they felt for Craig. If you are interested, send me an e-mail at syoder@mid-prairie.k12.ia.us. I will get the details figured out and be in touch with you soon.Below is a link to Dad's obituary in the Des Moines Register. (You may have to cut and paste into your browser.)

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/desmoinesregister/obituary-search.aspx?daterange=30&lastname=rosenfeld&countryid=1&stateid=15&affiliateid=1740

xxxooo etc.
Suz