Saturday, March 28, 2009

1:56 pm.

what a miracle life is. how precious life is. spectacular even. GOD has given us this precious gift of life in order to honor him and love him. at 1:56pm on march 26th my pops saw Jesus. he walked with HIS SAVIOR. it is so surreal. so sad. so amazing. i can picture him right now. belting out his favorite songs honoring the Lord in HEAVEN. (he didn't have a great earthly voice, but i know the Lord fixed that when he got to heaven. he would have to... it is supposed to be beautiful music). my dad passed away peacefully. which is what we wanted. he was sleeping & woke up in the arms of his Lord.

the drive down was hard. i talked with my sister a lot. i cried with todd a lot. but the question of seeing him loomed in the distance. do i walk into his house to see the shell that is left of my dad? i did walk in & reacted much different than i thought i would. i knelt by my dads body, face on the floor. i cried. i screamed. i told him i loved him. & then i prayed. i thank God for such a man. who lead me towards Jesus. who was my counsel. a man who highlighted my favorite verse in his bible. who calls me on mothers day. a man who prayed for me every day. a papa to my kids & my niece & nephew... and my sisters kids who we don't even know. a friend to so many. a love to so many!

thank you ALL for you prayers for my family. all of you have expressed so much love to us in the last few months. we are doing 'ok' given the circumstances. we are surviving.

i did my devotions out of my dads bible this morning. i wasn't sure what i wanted to read, but to know that where ever i read... he had read those words. here is where i landed... because in the margin in my dads handwriting were these words... 'my strength for the last days on earth.' 2 corinthians 5 (the whole chapter, but here is the first few.): 'For we know that if the earthy tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens... Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord~ for we walk by faith, not by sight~ we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.' this was my dad... is my dad. he is at home with the Lord & we are left to fight the sadness. and embrace the joy.

17 comments:

Kate said...

oh, so sorry summer. so so sorry.

Joanie said...

Those verses highlight your father's amazing insight into the eternal. Praying for you, and sending condolences and hugs.

Kristal Sawyer said...

I'm so sorry Summer...but so happy for your Dad. Thank you for your words, you are so wise and brave. Praying for you guys...

Megan Boragine said...

Thank you for sharing this intimate and personal time with us.
Even though I've never met your dad I feel like I have met him by getting to know you.

We are each honored to share this life here with you. To be in the joy and pain alongside you. Love you tons Summer.

:) Megan

Kim Givens said...

Amazing words Summer. Your dad would be so very proud! We are here for you guys! Love ya!

The Murphy Family said...

wow, i am crying my eyes out. your dad would have been proud to read all that you have already learned through all this. let us know if we can do anything for you. xoxo

Jessica said...

What a beautiful tribute to your Dad. I am so sorry for the heartache that you are all going through.

Linda Z said...

Summer, what beautiful words and memories about your sweet dad. I pray that your Heavenly Father's loving arms will be your comfort as you go through this season of mourning and grief. May His joy be your strength.

Julie said...

Ugh...I so agree with the others! I'm crying my eyes out but the words are so amazing. you are amazing! thanks for sharing and you are being lifted up in prayer! xoxo

Irish Girl said...

Summer,
I am so sorry. I'm glad that your dad is in Heaven in his new heavenly body and no longer in pain, but I know that doesn't always make it easier for those of us on earth!.
I will continue to pray for you and your family as you heal from this!

SomisSurferGirl said...

We love you.

Debbie said...

I love the look into your heart. Your sadness is overshadowed by the joy in knowing you had a great relationship with your Dad and that he is with Jesus. My prayers are continuing for your comfort. I love you!

joy said...

Hi, Summer, I smiled when you mentioned that you were reading out of your dad's Bible. I have my mom's Bible and it so dear to me. Miss you and sending you hugs.

Lisa Leonard said...

beautifully said. i love you.

Unknown said...

Oh Summer...I just heard today from Diane Hill. What a hard and precious thing. Thanks for sharing your bittersweet joy through your posts. I will be praying for you...

Rebecca Parsons said...

We love you guys. We are thinking about you and praying for you. Your dad was such a sweet, humble, AMAZING man.

Plasterer Family said...

I am so sorry for your loss and sadness, I can only imagine. What a precious father you were given. and what an awesome thought of your dad now with his savior. Praying for you.