We have all been to funerals where everyone sits and hears all the wonderful things about the deceased.  How honest they were.  They were loved by all.  Everyone respected their work ethic, etc.  I often wonder if that person ever knew how everyone felt about him.  How sad would it be if the only time they “heard” someone say something good about them was from the comforts of heaven (or somewhere less comfortable)?

I want to eulogize my husband today and make sure he knows at least how I view him.  What kind of a stamp he is putting on this world, me and his children.

Jim is the most honest man I have ever met.  His integrity is something he does not and will not compromise.  He has a saying, “There are no small compromises when it comes to your integrity.”   An example of this is how he simply cannot bring himself to rip anyone off.  A friend of ours brought a copied DVD to our home for movie night, something I saw as “normal” but it caused Jim pause.  He sees it as stealing from the actors, producers, and the movie industry.  A more recent example is when Jim went to our bank.  He was filling out his deposit ticket at the little table that has all the pens chained to it and saw an envelope laying there.  He picked it up and there was no paperwork inside, nothing with anyone’s name or account information on it.  But, it was full of fifty and one hundred dollar bills.  He estimated that it was probably close to $3000.  Without a thought or hesitation, he collected his items and the checks he had to deposit and handed the envelope over to the teller saying, “Someone left this on the deposit table.”  The teller was very surprised at this and commented about how wonderful that is that he was so honest.  To him, it’s simple, the money did not belong to him.  He has no right just to stick it in his pocket. He is without a “job” right now and we could probably justify keeping it by saying it was probably the bank’s mistake and they are a big corporation, they will not miss it etc..  But, such thoughts do not occur to him.  He just does the right thing…even if no one would ever know if he didn’t.  Always.  That is character.

Since I have known Jim I have witnessed how intelligent, wise and discerning he is.  He has an insight very rarely matched by anyone.  Even when he worked with men 20 years his senior, they would look up to him as someone who really knows what is going on.  He was their mentor in a way.   He can look at a situation and “smell a rat” instantly if it is not something on the “up and up.”  I am trusting, and sometimes blindly so.  He keeps me in check and will make sure I am aware of the things he sees or does not see in a person.  Sometimes I hate when he is right.  Which is more often than not.

Jim is methodical about most things that he does but is able to balance it so that he is not anal.  He likes his office a certain way.  He will notice if you move his stapler slightly out of place (I know - I do it just to mess with him) and calmly move it back to it’s CORRECT location.  But he is able to allow things to be out of order upstairs.  He understand our children do not know or care how he wants things and that’s ok with him.  He does not make me feel like slob or that the way I do things is wrong.  We know our differences and accept them.

Around the house Jim does more than his fair share to help.  As a husband I honestly could not have ordered a more perfect mate, partner and love to complete me.  He has all the traits I lack and visa versa.  God put us together.  There is no doubt in our minds about that.

I challenge you to find someone more funny than Jim.  I laugh daily, heck hourly, around my house at the things he says and comes up with.  His jokes and humor are clever and unique.  It is anything but boring with Jim is around.

His boyish enthusiasm about life and those little pleasures make him so endearing.  He get so excited about a new cell phone and will giggle with glee when he figures out a new feature.  He loves to keep traditions, plan parties and cook for those he loves.  Something I get the benefit of every day.

He is a devoted husband who takes his role as father very serious.  We talk in depth about the character traits we want to instill in our children and he works to make that happen.  He is patient, kind and gentle with them.  They adore him and he would die for them.  Alex has got him wrapped around her little pinky and Jackson is his best friend.  My heart melts when I see them playing together.

Jim has made and continues to make my life a joy.  I cannot imagine a life without him in it but just having known him I am a better person.  The lessons he has taught me about life, myself,  and other people are things that will and do help me in my everyday life.  I feel blessed to have him in my life and look forward to many more years of hearing his “Eggland’s Best” commercials on Sunday mornings.

I love you goob.