Most of you have heard by now but for journaling sake i need to put this on here. My dad passed away on June 17, 2009. I was not a surprise, we knew it was coming. I spent the last few weeks he had on this earth with him pretty much 24/7.
The last few months have been extremely emotional but rewarding. He had been in and out of the hospital with his cancer. While he was going through his health issues he was able to have perspective on the spiritual side that he never allowed before. He reconnected with his children and wife. Well, really he connected the first time with his children. He saw us as adults who had meaning and could offer something. Not as children who just needed something. It was amazing being able to sit in his hospital room and talk of all things spiritual with him. It was good to see the softer side of my dad. Many people didn't know he had that side to him. He would answer the phone and scare the crap out of grown men. So it was nice to see his softness and love the last 4 months to a year.
I can say that I know that God has a plan for everyone because Ben and I tried so hard last year to move away and everything that we tried (and let me tell you we tried everything under the sun) got shot down. God knew that we needed to stay in Missouri this year. He knew that dad would only be with us this short time. He knew that dad needed us to stay here to help him through all his struggles and joys.
The last few days before he past were extremely had because he was in so much pain. We didn't know if this was going to go on for a long period of time or it is was going to be short lived. Janah and I scared the the crap out of dad the day after he came home from the hospital because we had both stayed the night to help mom. At that point it was taking 2-3 people to get him up to do anything. Even to just set him up in bed. So mom came to get us when he woke up to take him to the bathroom and as Janah and I walked in his bedroom he looked up and said "Oh hell, am I dead". He knew that if Janah and I were there that he must be pretty bad. That was on Saturday morning and he passed on Wednesday. So needless to say Janah and I were extremely grateful that we had the opportunity to spend all the time with him before he left us.
The man who runs the funeral home was a really good friend of dads and he did everything possible for mom to make sure that she didn't have to worry about anything. She never steped foot in the funeral home until the day of the viewing. He brought everything to her. He was truely a God send.
The funeral was held at the Fulton chapel. Our Stake President spoke at the funeral and we had a very nice musical number by members of the church in Fulton. Of course grandma cursed how long the "stupid Mormon funeral" was but that is just grandma. Jesse and I both spoke about dad. When I went to the stand all I could see in the back of the chapel was a sea of blue. There was about 25 highway patrol in uniform who attend. There was also about 30 towers in uniform. (my parents have had a garage and towing business for about 37years). Speaking of towers, they all came with their tow trucks and when we had the processional to the cemetery they lead the pack with the highway patrol with their lights a glowing. It was a sight to behold. If you want to see clips of it you can click HERE. If you would like to read the obit click HERE.
We love you dad and will miss you so much.
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12 years ago
