The Way of Al Sisler

My father-in-law, Al Sisler, died on Monday. Today is his funeral. He will be desperately missed, but thankfully, as I wrote on Tuesday, death was not the end for him. Below are a few things I will remember most about Al Sisler.

He was known to our girls as "Silly Grandpa." I'm not sure why...

The first thing I remember noticing about Al Sisler was his smile. It was kind of a half-smile. Not a full-on toothy grin, but a gentle, warm, upturn at the corners of the mouth. It was as if he saw something beautiful and slightly humorous in life, and was smiling to himself about it. As long as I have known him, I don’t think I ever saw him without that smile. The smile represented everything that was “his way.”

I still remember when I asked if I could marry his only daughter. I was so nervous about what he would say, but he smiled that soothing smile and said, “Well, Jeremy, she’s a grown woman. We let her make those decisions on her own.” It was not an answer I expected, but it represented the way he lived his life and loved his family.

Such an answer also showed he way of trusting his children. He loved them so much that while he offered advice when asked for it, he let them make their own decisions, and follow their own path. He hoped for the best in all of them, and helped in any way he could to make their dreams come true.

And from the day I married Wendy, I felt like one of his sons. In many ways–and taking nothing away from my own parents–I am who I am today because of Al Sisler. I will always remember how when I went through one of the hardest times in my life, he was one of the most supportive and patient friends I had. He did not condemn. He did not judge. He didn’t really even offer advice, which is not what I needed anyway. He was just there. A quiet, steadfast, loving presence. And giving me that smile. Always his smile.

I am going to miss that smile. I am also going to miss laughing as he plays charades with our girls. I will miss talking about whether or not the Bears will make it to the Superbowl this year. I will miss discussing Scripture over a cup of coffee. I am going to miss going fly-fishing with him, listening to his rambling stories, and watching with amazement as he talks with complete strangers at the mall or in the park as if they were long-lost friends.

His love for his wife, his kids, and his grandkids was unmatched. His love for Jesus and Scripture are rare among men. His obituary states, “His faith in Christ defined his life and actions. Al was devoted to humbly serving his wife as Christ served the Church, they were simply inseparable.” Yes, that is the way of Al Sisler.

Most of all, I think I am going to miss watching him walk hand-in-hand with his wife, or giving my wife a big hug, or tickling my daughters on the floor. To my daughters, he will always be known as “Silly Grandpa.”

So I thank him for all he has given me. For my wife. For loving my girls. For years of friendship. For wise advice. For a listening ear. For forgiveness. For hope. For faith. And for love. I thank Al for showing me the way in all of these areas, and I look forward to being reunited with him in eternity, where I trust that he will have all the best fishing holes mapped out, and have all my Bible questions already answered.

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