11/03/2024
People that know me know I am not a big social media person. I obviously post our dogs and puppies and then significant prayer requests because I know the power of prayer. Right now I just want to share our appreciation for all the prayers and support that we have received for the loss of my father-in-law Ted Tretter. And a huge thank you for all that attended his Celebration of Life this weekend. He was a great man and clearly impacted many. And lastly, but mainly, I want to share two regrets during his Celebration. We did not pray and we did have an open mic for others to share the impact that Ted had on their lives. So as much as I don’t love social media I am going to use it and take the opportunity to share a prayer and what I would have shared had I thought of it.
Dear Heavenly Father we come before you right now and we ask that you give us peace and understanding. We trust in you and have faith in knowing that you are in control and you have the perfect plan. Through the sorrow we feel may we find the ability to not only rejoice in the fact that Ted is now with you but also in fact that we will see him again; we know this to be true because of the blood that was shed on the cross for us by your Son Jesus Christ. We will have eternal life in Heaven and be reunited not only with you, our Creator, but with Ted and all our loved ones that have shared in the same trust. So again may you give us comfort during this time. Thank you dear heavenly Father and of course bless this food to our bodies in your precious Son’s name, Amen.
Losing someone is never easy. We have all had loss in our lives. We don’t know the whys and we don’t understand the timing but God does not make mistakes. And He certainly didn’t make a mistake stake when he took Ted. We all are here because in some way, shape, or form Ted had a roll in our life. Therefore we all share common ground despite differences in our lives. He adored each and every one of us. For me, I am so grateful for the roll Ted had in my life not only as a father-in-law but also, a friend, a grandpa to our kids, and a great grandpa to our grandkids.
I personally am so very thankful for the time we had together. We had so many great times together including trips out west, pheasant hunting, deer hunting until way too dark (I remember we couldn’t even see our hands in front of us but he wanted to wait just a little longer) knowing he was just loving the time spent, we had countless good times and towards the end we had so many great visits, sometimes while sipping on apple pie, and we enjoyed simpler things like playing cards, playing bingo, playing upie upie, putting puzzles together, and one of my favorites craft night creating pastel butterflies, his was my favorite entitled “Flopper”. I especially cherished those times knowing that Toni too was storing away these treasured memories of her grandpa. Even the times when Toni and I had to tag team with grandpa chores and dog chores became special memories. Amazing times we had and I am again so thankful for all of them. He was a special man putting others before himself and wanting to cure the world. He was a powerful man, a determined man, a respected man. He showed some of this when he saved the life of our horse Chessy. Toni has gratitude for that. Many other stories or memories of Ted would demonstrate these attributes of him.
I share these memories to you now which is obviously past Ted’s Celebration of Life but, I have to accept the fact that there must be a reason I didn’t share during that time. I know there are a lot of memories of this man and we are now putting a close to this chapter but I thank the Lord these memories are not to be lost but cherished forever.
Any thoughts or memories about Ted are welcomed here, I would love to have some compiled for friends and family to see. And I am so sorry we didn’t allow the opportunity to share memories at his Celebration. I again truly thank you for all the prayers, support, and all that did come to his Celebration of Life for a life well lived. Love to all, Katie Tretter
