Lessons from Dad

One week ago we were getting ready to make a long drive to say good-bye to my Dad. You never imagine when you are doing something like that - that it will actually be your last time. My husband, 2 girls and I got to spend precious, precious time holding his hand, cuddling his face and talking, praying and singing to him. He always called me an angel when I would sing to him , but this time he could not even speak. His body was there, he was breathing, his foggy eyes flickered toward the door when I told him his "little Lucy" and Vivienne were there to see him. But, I felt his spirit already gone. Wow.  I found myself thinking, is this really goodbye?  You can never prepare for this moment in your adult life. All you can do is, each and everyday, thank the people you love - unceasingly - thank them and tell them you love them and are grateful for them and apologize for everything you do that might have caused them pain.  Do not wait for the last moments, but do it when you act out of turn, when you do something or say something that could cause pain. Do it. Do it now. Don't wait. I am so thankful that I had that relationship with my Dad. He has said for years...I know. I know. I know.  Whew, all I know is that when I was at that bedside, all I had left to do was love, comfort, adore.  The lessons here; 1) be free with your love...not in a 60's kind of way - but a heart way. Love people. 2) Tell them what you like about them and tell them that they matter 3) Make it more about other people than yourself. 4) Repent. Have a repentant heart. No one is perfect, don't expect that of yourself and don't be ashamed when you fail. Repent. Change. Ask for forgiveness.

So, here I sit, not even one week later. My Dad passed away 24 hours after we saw him. We have had his wake and his funeral service and the burial of his ashes will happen on Tuesday. 

A funeral service kind of "boils down" your life. What a great summation those guys gave of my Dads life. Last Christmas Dad gave me a book "Lessons from Stanley the Cat". I am thinking today about "Lessons from Dad".  Here is what Dad taught those around him.

1) Never say the word "can't", it isn't in the dictionary.
2) Have cahoneys (a.k.a. male testicles...this one isn't on spell check - think COURAGE!). You can do anything if you have courage.
3) Be Loyal, Be Honest
4) Work Hard
5) Give more than you take
6) Be a good friend
7) Your family matters
8) Love your wife (spouse) and honor them everday of your life
9) Love your country
10) Nothing is as good as being a grandparent

What a great, great guy. What is amazing is that my Dad also had a big inferiority complex. He never, never, never thought he did enough or was ever successful. He pushed through all of this and all of this life with that voice in his head telling him, you're not good enough. Wow. What a lesson that is. He had people around him telling him he was great all the time, but still he did not believe it. That was in part what made Dad so irresistible.

He makes me think...break through those voices! Do all the things on my list and more, you CAN do it!

These have been my guiding verses through the last days...My firm foundation.

Matthew 11:28-30
²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

2 Corinthians 4:17-18
¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

John 14:1-6
¹ “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God^[a]; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.” ⁵ Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” ⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

2 Timothy 4:7-8

⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

OK. I love you Dad!