10-24-10 A day that will be etched in our minds forever.
Papa Chet has returned to his maker.
Papa has gone through more than his fair share of challenges in the past few years, you would hope nothing more would have been thrown his way. We all hoped and prayed that he would be cured and live forever, unfortunately there was another plan in store for him.
It all started about 7 years ago when he was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer, he started on all sorts of things to try and cure it besides doing any chemo or radiation. He fought this battle for 5 years with a wonderful woman Roz by his side helping him along the way in every way she could, but this was all kept secret from the family. We just found out a few years ago about what he was going through and it had just gotten worse. He was diagnosed with bone cancer as well and the cancer had spread through his already frail body. He was always more concerned about his family and how they were that he did not want to burden anyone with his trials. He is an amazing man and has more strength than I could even comprehend.
It had been a rough last few weeks for him and I am glad to know that he is no longer suffering and probably rafting down the rivers of heaven today, strong and full of life. We got the call on Thursday the 14th that he was not doing well and the doctors didn't think that he would make it through the night. Well, he of course was stubborn and proved everyone wrong. He had days of ups and downs, everyone got to come say there goodbyes or see him one last time before he passed which was good. He is loved by all that he meets and most certainly will never be forgotten.
We were very privileged a couple of weeks ago to go on his last rafting trip with him and I am sure it will be a trip that is never forgotten. We rafted the Colorado and fished as we went, the good news is he caught the one and only fish of that trip and we wouldn't have it any other way. My only regret of this trip is that I didn't take any pictures, but we will have the memories.
He is a great man that has a great family that he has left behind, we all have the peace of mind that we will see him again one day and that he is in a much better place. I know he is looking down on us and making sure we are all taken care of. I know for sure I will be taken care of because he made David promise to take care of me and there is one thing I know for sure- David will never break a promise made to his papa! :)
Now that he has passed we will have lots of rafting trips to go on to spread his ashes in all the rivers he has rafted! We sure will be busy!!
WE LOVE YOU PAPA!!
