| View Blog
|
|
|
|
"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,
love leaves a memory no one can steal."
--Seen on a headstone in Ireland
Usually the beginning of February the whole family gathers to sing Happy Birthday to my father-in-law. There was no gathering this year as Dad was called home to Heaven last September. Dad's passing was a blessing as it brought an end to his pain and suffering ... still he is greatly missed by all who loved him. Dad's simple beautiful service was prayerful and meaningful. One verse, chosen by the priest, seemed to speak to everyone and so reminded us how Dad handled his illness with grace, faith and dignity ... "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" -- 2 Timothy 4:7.
I wrote the following eulogy and read it at Dad's funeral. It conveys the wonderful man he was and all that he meant to me.
Rest in Peace Dear Dad. I'm thinking of you today.
----------------------------------------------------------
In the early pre dawn hours of Labor Day, 2007 a sweet kind hearted gentle soul left this earth. His body, pain ridden and beyond repair by modern medicine is here in this room today. His spirit ... every aspect of who he was ... every part of him we all loved and admired so much now watches over us from Heaven.
Who was this gentle soul that we pause to remember on this September afternoon. For this writer, Edward, was my father-in-law ... a surrogate father, a friend, an encourager, a man who reminded me often that life is to be lived "easy by easy" one step at a time. A man who called me "honey" and "dear" and helped me believe that I was a unique and special girl worthy of his love and affection. A man I felt comfortable and proud calling "Dad".
His life was not flamboyant, but well lived ... filled with the joy and appreciation of ordinary things. Dad was a man of faith who found comfort and strength in prayer. Many of the prayers, that he lovingly prayed daily for each one of us, were penned by his own hand.
Edward was a man who loved nature and animals. His flowers and tomatoes were the envy of the neighborhood. He feed the birds and the squirrels took food right out of his hand.
He enjoyed old movies, the songs of the 40's and Tiger Baseball. His hobbies included playing solitaire, doing crossword and word search puzzles ... [helped to keep his mind sharp is how he put it] and sitting on the porch enjoying the sounds and sights of our beautiful world. Dad kept up on current events and at times voiced his opinion quite vigorously in regard to the state of affairs in government and the world.
When it came to food Dad was a bit picky ... for many years he refused to try pizza but after a brave moment he ended up loving it. Sweets (cookies, donuts and coffee cake) were also a staple in his diet. He enjoyed these treats not worrying about the 1/2 pound he might gain. And of course when speaking of food we can't forget his love of fudgesicles. As his illness progressed it was the only thing he asked for and wanted. Shortly before his last breath on earth he had a fudgesicle for the road. For the rest of my days I will never be able to look at a fudgesicle and not think of Dad.
So, with a heavy heart, I bid farewell to Edward, my father-in-law, whose last days were filled with discomfort and pain ... yet he never complained or had a cross word for any one. His passing is a blessing, as it brings to an end his time of suffering, but the real blessing is that this dear man was a part of my life for 35 years. The gifts and lessons he unselfishly taught will serve me well on life's journey. Be at peace, dear Dad, I will miss you and our world, so in need of your kindness and gentleness, will miss you as well.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Blog Comments
|
|
|
|
Beautiful...my biggest regret when my dad passed was that I so wanted to say something at his funeral and couldn't do it, because I was still in such a state of shock. I couldn't open my mouth to speak without sobbing and I always felt I let him down.
I think this is a lovely testament to to someone who was clearly a lovely man. Thank you for sharing.
"He who has gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us, more potent, nay, more present than the living man."
Peace and Love to you xxx
|
|
Posted by chebtastic1
on 2008-02-04 11:12:07
|
|
|
|
|
What a beautiful choice of song to go along with reading this.......May God feel your heart with only sweet memories and fudgeisicles for the rest of your days.....Thank you so much for this....
|
|
Posted by Hollis
on 2008-02-04 11:46:55
|
|
|
|
|
I will try to get my message out through my running mascara. The spirit lives on...I felt every word you wrote as if you were writing about my Dad. He's in his final stages of cancer, and I love him beyond any words. Your post did more than touch me, it tugged at my heart. Peace My Dear!
|
|
Posted by keepdreaming
on 2008-02-04 17:01:53
|
|
|
|
|
you write so beautifully, and what an absolutely loving way to farewell a man who sounds like a pillar in your life and anybody who knew him. Thank you for sharing.
|
|
Posted by EasyToSay
on 2008-02-04 23:12:26
|
|
|
|
What a beautiful tribute to your Dad.
I have also been missing mine lately.
I shed a warm happy tear.
Peace.
|
|
Posted by DifficultSoul
on 2008-02-05 13:29:02
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Views: 186
Email This to a Friend 
