2016 has been a big year. We lost Dan's dad in February, an unborn baby from an early miscarriage in June, and just recently our air conditioner in July.
Dan and I bought his parents house in 2009 (the summer we were married). Before they moved out, the four of us spent a few months living together that summer. Ernie and Cindy lived upstairs, Dan lived in the basement, and I came to visit most weekends. We got to spend a lot of time together and learned a lot about each other that summer. I learned that we ate beef most nights, that Ernie was probably the hardest working man I'd ever met, and that Cindy was the communicator in the family. I learned that we drive red tractors, keep our fences mended, and don't mow the yard nearly enough. I also learned that Ernie could fix anything.
One night that summer the four of us were eating dinner and the outside unit started rumbling, hot air blowing freely from the vents inside the house. Ernie and Dan went outside to check things out. Ernie stared at it, and used a screw driver to tap on the fan, and it miraculously started working perfectly. Ernie did this a few times each summer for the remainder of his life. There wasn't much he couldn't fix. Even though he had moved on to a different house, he still made time to come check on his old air conditioner.
So when the air conditioner made a knocking noise and smoke started billowing from the outside unit a few weeks ago, tears welled up in my eyes. I really wish Ernie was here to see it. He would have probably agreed it was time for a new one (it was 40 years old after all) but I'm sure he would have been proud that he kept it running so long.
It's weird that the stupid air conditioner brought up so many memories for me. I know it's part of the grief process. It's the little things that Ernie brought to our family that I miss the most. I know he's in a better place but I just miss him right now. ~ Lydia
