Tag Archives: dad

Day 198

Posted on by dtsphoto365

I wish it was this easy…

Hot Mess

We went through dad’s viewing today. A total of about 7 hours with overflow and family time. Honestly, while it was hard, it was also awesome to see everyone that showed up. Family from afar, friends from all over, church folk, co-workers (that were amazing to meet!), neighbors and old high school friends. I was excited to meet all of you… hear the stories… give hugs. Thank you!

Special thanks to two groups… First, dad’s OBES group was amazing to meet. Your stories, your comments about dad made several of us emotional and we talked about it for hours afterwards. THANK YOU. Second, thanks to my friends that drove from afar to visit — Don, Karey & Joey, Monica & Kevin, Mark & Jen. It meant more then you think.

I am wondering how to recharge for tomorrow. Lots of visitors… Lots of family… And while I love you all, I’m tapped. Hopefully the Petite Syrah will help. 🙂  We are having some good conversation tonight… remembering, planning, thinking…

Off to bed for a long day tomorrow. Love you all.

Photo taken with: iPhone 4

Day 197

Posted on by dtsphoto365

The Obituary

So weird.

Dad’s obit was in the Columbus Dispatch and the Akron Beacon Journal today. You can also find it online at legacy.com. Around 8pm, I remember and ran out to scour for some copies. I didn’t get many… Folks in Akron are scoring for some more. (THANK YOU!) It was a little weird to see it in there today.

Now to translate this into a Eulogy. I want to throw up.

Photo taken with: Nikon D700, Nikon 60mm f/2.8

Day 196

Posted on by dtsphoto365

A Workshop of Fun!

What should we build?

Anyone that knew my dad, knew that he loved his tools and LOVED to build things. He would tinker, wood carve, help out folks who needed something fixed. He even traveled several times to help build houses or churches with the Men’s group.

So, naturally, he had a large workshop downstairs. He’d probably not like me showing it since its a little messy. Usually, it was VERY organized… He installed his own cabinets, built a filtration system and a tube system to collect the saw dust. He had peg board to hang tools and/or his finished work.

I also have my own tool collection and I needed to add to it this week… let’s call it “retail therapy”. However, my tools consist of new lenses and gadgets for the camera. 🙂  I got a new wide angle lens… WAY COOL STUFF. And I used it to shoot the entire workshop above. Thanks for passing down your desires for awesome tools, dad!

Maybe my dad will build us some houses? John 14:1-4 says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” You think that Jesus will let my dad help build some?

Photo taken with: Nikon D700, Nikon 18-35 f/3.5

Day 195

Posted on by dtsphoto365

My dad has gone to see the Light.

Finally

Thomas Edwin Sommer, my father, went to be with the Lord at 5:07 pm this evening. He went peacefully, holding my mother’s hand. He had one tear on the end of his nose. I’d like to think that it was a tear of joy as Jesus reached out to take him. We praise God that his suffering, pain and frustration has ended. We ask for His forgiveness in our selfishness of wanting dad to be here longer.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me…. I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now, I see.

T’was Grace that taught… my heart to fear. And Grace, my fears relieved. How precious did that Grace appear… the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares… we have already come. T’was Grace that brought us safe thus far… and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me… His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be… as long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease, I shall possess within the veil, a life of joy and peace.

When we’ve been here ten thousand years… bright shining as the sun. We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise… then when we’ve first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me…. I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now, I see.”

Photo taken with: Nikon D700, Nikon 50mm f/1.8

Day 194

Posted on by dtsphoto365

Sam and I

Cookies!

A little break to the day… Sam LOVES when you have food. He asks for some, “MMMMM!” until you cave. So, he crawled over to me when he saw that I might be eating a cookie. He sat with me and ate a chunk for awhile. Of course I had to bust out the new iPhone 4 front-facing camera.

I wish dad could have a cookie too. He loves a good cookie… mainly oatmeal raisin. Today he hasn’t woken up at all. Still breathing, but his heart beat is racing. No drinks… no food… no open eyes.

Photo taken with: iPhone 4