You're going to know where this is leading

Robb McVal, 54 died unexpectedly at home last week.  He was born in small town Iowa, the son of Rev and M McVal.

Robb graduated from college where he met a fellow student, Val.  He graduated a semester earlier than she and was then employed in small town Iowa as a programmer analyst.  After Val graduated that spring, they married and settled in a nearby small town, where they would have celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary in May.

Robb was active at his church where he was the church chairman and loved serving God in every capacity.

He picked up bagpipe playing as an adult and enjoyed marching in parades, Irish/Scottish festivals with the local bagpipe band.

Robb enjoyed computer gaming and organized a twice a month international gaming event where he made lots of virtual friends and also included high school and college friends in the group.

Robb loved his wife and children and was always available if they  needed help.  The same with friends, extended family and church family, especially with their computer issues over the years.

Robb is predeceased by his father.  He is survived by his wife Val, 3 children and grandson, his mother, 2 brothers and sister as well as many many many nieces and nephews.

Lunch followed at the one of two places still renting during Covid and happened to be the most beautiful venue in town.  

Robb... I miss you so much already!  Every time I hear something you liked to say, think of something that I know you'd laugh at or walk into any room in the house that is filled with flowers still, I cry.

So many people say, "He's watching you, you know..."  I sincerely hope he's not.  Because Heaven wouldn't be the place of no tears and pure happiness if you can see your family grieving as we are.  

It would break his heart.  

I spent the day preserving roughly 23 flower arrangements in various ways so that they wouldn't wilt away to nothing.  In addition to the flowers, we received about 9 plants.  I will do my best to keep them thriving.

This weekend, Meri, Robb's sister and I will find a grave stone to commemorate his life.  

My house still has lots of people in it, but I still feel so alone sometimes.

When Robb asked me out for the first time, he prefaced it by saying, "You're going to know where this is leading in a minute... but are you dating anyone?"  And every day for the past 33 years, he's said, "You KNEW where this was leading!"

To be honest, I had no idea.

I'm broken.