Crochet 501

This is certainly not going to be my shining hour, just fair warning.
The challenge for the week at EIM is crochet. It's something I'm crazy familiar with, and if you've visited with me before, you may know that already. If not, check out my "Woobie" page for the lowdown.
I made a blanket earlier this year that I was exceptionally pleased with and I gave it to my parents. I had reason to visit them last week and I took a photo of it, not realizing I could put it to good use! This is what it looks like:

Woobie 501

The reason for my visit brings me great sadness as I share the news that my "baby" brother died of a heart attack last week. Craig was 51. He leaves a wife, Rose and her children, Sarah and Willy; his son, Damon and Damon's mother, Judith; our parents, Allan and Grace; our sister, Deborah and her daughter, Justine; my children, Terrance and Erica.
That's my compact little family; both of our parents are only children, so that's it.
The evening sky has one less star to light it up; his light gone all too soon from his earthly vessel. Damon wrote an amazing tribute that any parent would be so honored to have bestowed upon them. I have copied it here, as a reminder that I, too, could live to this standard.

Though not a huge fan of speeches, there is something needing to be said that comes straight from the heart.

You were honestly the one person in my life that I could always turn to when something was wrong or I needed someone to talk to. Some people have to choose to only remember the good parts of someone when they die, but I don't. Even when you were alive I could say nothing but positive things about you. You were one of the few people I could say 'I love you' to and mean it with all of my heart and soul. Nobody in the world will ever be able to replace such a wonderful man, a man that only ever wanted one thing: world peace. I hope one day your dreams will be achieved and that you'll have a birthday in which I can actually say your wish was achieved. 

You were always there for me and I'll always be there for you. You taught me everything you knew, you taught me about being passionate about peace, you were the best person to ask for anything math related, and you were one of the easiest humans on earth to naturally feel love for. I still can't believe you're gone from this earthly plane of existence, and although you were never a religious man, there is something inside me that continues to hope that you're looking down at all of us, probably making your wonderfully corny dad jokes. I miss you so much and there's nothing I wouldn't give to see you again, even for a moment.

You will always be an amazing person, and more importantly the best father I could have ever asked to have. Rest in eternal peace and I hope with all of my being to see you again one day.

I can only wonder what my kids will have to say about me when the time comes? I have vowed to myself to use the good china, drink the champagne instead of waiting for the "right" occasion, to hug my children a little bit longer, to love Gil with all my being and to find the light again on Earth. 

Have a brilliant day!