Last Thursday (Jan 21st) my Daddy took his last breath. After a long night of very labored breathing a sunbeam fell on his face he took one last deep breath and it was done. Within a few minutes we were all gathered around his bed and my mother led the most beautiful prayer of thanksgiving I have ever heard. Instead of asking why; instead of cursing God for taking her partner of 71 years; instead of wondering outloud what would come next she gave thanks for the long life they shared together and for the many years of service Daddy had given to others.
Yes...there is a huge hole in my heart. Yes...I often break down in tears. But as I reflect on the lessons that he taught me, as I think about the life he lived, I can't help but celebrate the fact that he is safe in the arms of Jesus, conversing with the faithful men and women of old and finally realizing just how many people he influenced for good.
Thank you Lord for giving me a Daddy that taught me about your goodness. Thank you for giving me a Daddy that affirmed my worth. Thank you for giving me parents that loved each other and thier children no matter what swirled around them. Thank you for allowing him to be with You!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Life's Lessons
The time I've been both dreading and longing for is coming very quickly now. My dad has become mostly unresponsive and either unable or unwilling to eat. People who visit cannot arouse him adn the nursing staff is unable to get him out of bed. Perhaps he has chosen or willed himself to live this long and has finally run out of will. Perhaps the Lord has been using him for these last many months to remind us all that He is the one that's in control. I'm not sure about it all but I am sure of something else.
For parts of 10 decades my dad has graced this planet. During his lifetime our nation has experienced unprecedented technological change. What was in his childhood a side show of barnstorming now has commercial air passenger service flying many millions of miles each year. What existed only in the radio theater during his teen years now has become the reality of continuing space travel and even a humans walking on the moon. The war to end all wars ended in his early childhood and he saw the effects of the second one.
Even though his early years were marked with the death of both his parents and a move to an Orphan's Home, he chose not to be bitter or spiteful...instead he accepted the opportunities that were given him through State assistance and Christian Orphan's Home guidance and became a well educated educator, ultimately completing a Master's Degree.
But what was more important to him was his life's work, his passion, his chosen profession. Yes he was an educator but the lessons he poured himself into had nothing to do with the 3 R's. Even though he taught those things what he really cared about was teaching others about his Lord and Savior. I sat through countless sermons that he taught...while I admittedly didn't pay as close attention as I should have I remember his teachings, I recall his intonation and the emphasis he put on certain phrases and words. But most of all I remember the lessons he taught through his daily life.
As my Daddy makes preparation for his final breath he is still teaching a most valuable lesson. He has remained gracious and graceful through his ordeal. He has taught others to pray even as he could hardly stay awake long enough to converse. He has treated others with respect even though they tried to ignore him. He has loved his bride of 71 years to the end and showed his children how to be respectable citizens of the nation of their birth as well as the Kingdom of God.
So as you approach that great white throne Daddy, do so with the knowledge that your lessons will live on in the lives and teaching of people close to you and people you never met. Hold your head high as you meet our Lord with the full expectation that He will say to you, "Well done good and faithful servant, enter into eternal life."
I love you Daddy!
For parts of 10 decades my dad has graced this planet. During his lifetime our nation has experienced unprecedented technological change. What was in his childhood a side show of barnstorming now has commercial air passenger service flying many millions of miles each year. What existed only in the radio theater during his teen years now has become the reality of continuing space travel and even a humans walking on the moon. The war to end all wars ended in his early childhood and he saw the effects of the second one.
Even though his early years were marked with the death of both his parents and a move to an Orphan's Home, he chose not to be bitter or spiteful...instead he accepted the opportunities that were given him through State assistance and Christian Orphan's Home guidance and became a well educated educator, ultimately completing a Master's Degree.
But what was more important to him was his life's work, his passion, his chosen profession. Yes he was an educator but the lessons he poured himself into had nothing to do with the 3 R's. Even though he taught those things what he really cared about was teaching others about his Lord and Savior. I sat through countless sermons that he taught...while I admittedly didn't pay as close attention as I should have I remember his teachings, I recall his intonation and the emphasis he put on certain phrases and words. But most of all I remember the lessons he taught through his daily life.
As my Daddy makes preparation for his final breath he is still teaching a most valuable lesson. He has remained gracious and graceful through his ordeal. He has taught others to pray even as he could hardly stay awake long enough to converse. He has treated others with respect even though they tried to ignore him. He has loved his bride of 71 years to the end and showed his children how to be respectable citizens of the nation of their birth as well as the Kingdom of God.
So as you approach that great white throne Daddy, do so with the knowledge that your lessons will live on in the lives and teaching of people close to you and people you never met. Hold your head high as you meet our Lord with the full expectation that He will say to you, "Well done good and faithful servant, enter into eternal life."
I love you Daddy!
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