Hi Dad,
It has been 4 years since you have been gone.
Denial - Anger - Bargaining - Depression
Each one has taken about a year. They don’t come in order, sometimes all at once, but they do come.
I guess I am onto Acceptance.
I don’t like acceptance; acceptance means moving on…
I don’t think I will ever do that,
I thought I would,
But I won’t,
I am too stubborn.
What I have done is give our loss of you a purpose.
I doubled down.
I took on your life,
Your responsibilities,
Your Purpose…
And I have made them my own.
I am not going to do them as good as you did.
My Goal is to be better than you.
If you were Nice, I will be nicer.
If you secretly helped out someone, Ill help 10
I have become possessed -
You may have been Audacious,
But I am tenacious.
Now I look for things you enjoyed, and I am going to perfect them.
Every time someone says “Your dad would be proud of you”
I smash the peddle down harder.

I know you would love it.
You would LOVE to see it.
You would love to see how far your boys have come.
You would be so proud of your Grandkids,
Your Daughter-InLaws.
and How much we love on Mom.

You said shortly before you passed, “I want God to do something with my life.”
Let me tell you, He Did.

The stories people have told me about what you have done for them are unbelievable.
Every time I hear one the bar gets lifted.
I don’t mind.
I enjoy the challenge.

Through all the pain, the tears, the blood, and the sweat, something beautiful has taken root in our family.

We are closer than ever.
The Group Chat is a riot of cheerleading and support for each other.
We win together, and if we lose, we do that together too.

When you lose a captain on the field - Everyone needs to step up and fill in the gaps - until there are no more Gaps.
As you preached to all of us,
It is not about the individual,
It is about the team.

The only goal of any Dad is to have their children “Be Better” than Them.
I see it in my children every day.
I have watched them Rise,
I have watched them Overcome,
I have watched them surpass me in so many ways.
And it fills me with Pride and Joy.

I have been asked many times when someone has a child, “what to do”
My answer is yours.
If you had a bad parent - Be a better one.
If you had a Great Parrent - Be a better one.

I will never Move On.
I will honor you with the life I live.

I had a great dad.
I want to be a better one.

I know you would like that.

I wasn’t ready for you to go.
But I was Prepared.

The Mission is Clear -
It is the same words as they have always been.

We Live: To Honor those who have come before us
And To: Prepare the way for those yet to come.

I will - Be Better.

NOTES

Saarloos and Sons Estate Mourvèdre, aptly named "DAD" in honor of Larry Saarloos, embodies the essence of family, tradition, and love. This wine is a tribute to the patriarch of the Saarloos family, crafted with meticulous care and attention to detail.

The "DAD" Mourvèdre is sourced from the family's estate vineyards in Santa Barbara County, where the grape thrives in the region's unique terroir. Larry Saarloos's passion for farming and dedication to his craft are reflected in every bottle of this special wine.

With its deep ruby hue and complex aromas of dark berries, dried herbs, and spice, the "DAD" Mourvèdre captivates the senses from the first pour. On the palate, rich flavors of black cherry, plum, and licorice are balanced by silky tannins and a lingering finish, showcasing the wine's depth and elegance.

As a nod to Larry's legacy, the "DAD" Mourvèdre is not just a wine—it's a celebration of family, connection, and the enduring bonds that unite us. Whether enjoyed on special occasions or shared with loved ones around the table, each sip of this wine is a reminder of the values and traditions that define the Saarloos family's winemaking philosophy.

With "DAD" Mourvèdre, Saarloos and Sons invite wine enthusiasts to raise a glass in tribute to Larry Saarloos and the profound impact he has had on their lives and the world.. It's a toast to family, togetherness, and the timeless joys of sharing a bottle of exceptional wine with those we hold dear.