My Story

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Dad

Someone once said "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy".

There can be no memorializing my father without speaking of how he dealt with challenge and controversy. In my time on this earth, I had never known my father to shirk from his responsibilities. I have never known him to be beneath doing whatever he needed to do to care for his family. There was no job to menial, no task too difficult. But above that, I never knew my father to turn away from the guilt and demons that plagued him throughout his life. Yes, there were times when my father walked on the dark side, but as the bible says, "Let him without sin cast the first stone".

Above all other things, my father cherished his family. His love for his wife, for my brothers and sister, and for me, was unwavering and without condition. There was nothing he would deny us and no struggle to great to protect us. I'm sure there were times where my father didn't like us very much. But not one of us ever doubted just how much he loved us.

To have known my father is to know that he never forgot his own past mistakes. He allowed people to have their opinion, and never passed judgment on them, even if they did not reciprocate. And while there were some who disagreed with my father on any number of issues, he never once spoke an ill word about anyone. If he ever cared for someone, he always cared for them, regardless of circumstance. This was not a conscious effort for my Father, it was his nature, and it was the essence of his heart.

My Father taught me many things in my life; lessons that I've held close to my heart. With those lessons, I've gone many places, met many people, and done many things. But of all the things I've done, and of all the things I am, that thing that I am most proud of, is that I am my father's son. To look at his life, and the man he was, and to hope that I could demonstrate the sort of gentle love and kindness that was my Father's legacy.


Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free.
I'm following the path God planned for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call,
I turned to Him and left it all.

I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work and play.
Things left undone must stay that way.
I've found such peace at the close of day.

I know my parting has left a void,
Please fill it with remembered joys.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Ahh yes, these things I too will miss.

Don't be burdened with lots of sorrow,
My wish for you is the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much,
Good friends, good times,
My loved ones touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don't lengthen it now, with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and smile with me.
I'm with Him now, He's set me free!

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