A light went out in my heart and life on July 20. God called my father home to Heaven after 91 productive years on this earth. Dad worked hard all his life. When he turned 75, he gave his business to my two brothers and “retired,” but Dad never quit going to work. He was there full time until several years ago, when his energy levels determined that afternoons were a better fit. He rarely missed a day. He fought cancer for the last four years of his life. He always regretted medical appointments that took him away from his desk. His last day at work was about a month before he died.
Dad and Mom married in 1952, the year after he graduated high school. They raised seven children and Dad worked hard to make our life as good as it could be. During my next to last visit with Dad, when he was easing his grip on life and finding it hard to stay awake, he whispered, “I’m sorry for the ways I failed you. I worked too much.” I cried when he said that. He said, “Don’t cry for me.” I told him, “I’m not. I’m crying for me.” His eyes were closed but he gave a faint chuckle and squeezed my hand. He understood. Dad never failed us. He did the best he could with the resources God granted him. We all should spend more time than we do with those we love the best, but I don’t remember ever thinking Dad was gone too much. He had to work. That was just a necessity of life as we grew up. It was God’s blessing to Dad that he loved his work. Dad asked to be buried in the clothes he wore to the shop. So appropriate.
When Dad’s father died, he realized that Grandpa hadn’t said “I love you” very often. He was a wonderful father and loved his family, but expressing love verbally was hard for him. Dad decided then that he wouldn’t let another opportunity go by when he could say “I love you. I’m very proud of you,” to his own family.
As much as he loved his family and his work, Dad’s faith in God was the most important aspect of his life. I am grateful for his example, living out his love for Christ in such a kind and generous way to all who had the honor of knowing him. I am eternally grateful that Christ’s intervention on our behalf means that death can’t separate us. We will be reunited one glad day.
I can’t imagine a life without my father in it. I was born a week after Dad turned 21. I am blessed, at my age, to have had him as a vibrant part of my life for so long. He loved us all, no matter the circumstances. We were his heart and his life.
We love you, Dad. We are very proud of you.
