One year ago today my Dad took his first breath of heaven. I imagine it was a long, full, deep, breath like none he had for quite some time as he had interstitial lung disease. This last year has been full of firsts without Dad there to offer loving encouragement, share is his wisdom, prepare the boats for fishing, and not the least of which was to tell me how beautiful I am ever time I saw him. Together my Mom, sisters and I, as well as family and friends, have navigated these days and have made it through with the comfort in knowing that this is not all there is. We too will one day take a breath of heaven and Dad will be there cheering us through those pearly gates. The memory of that last evening together as Dad prayed and blessed each one of his children and grandchildren knowing that he would soon be taking that first wonderful breath of heaven is one that is sweet and I hold very dear. Although I know that this will not be my last experience of loosing someone I love so dearly, I do know now that I have a God that is way bigger than death and all the sorrow that comes with it.
Silk Flowers: really amazing, thanks
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You are an incredible women and I'm so glad you are my wife! I don't think this could have been said any better. Thanks for capturing how our entire family feels on this day.
Love Ya,
Jeff
Posted by: Jeff | January 18, 2011 at 09:47 AM
Such a blessing to know your loved ones are in Heaven and you can see them again one day! So sweet to read how your dad blessed and prayed for all of you!
Posted by: Margie | January 18, 2011 at 10:20 AM
Isn't he just the cutest Angel you have ever seen! His smile says it all - my heart is full today of so many memories that I will cherish forever. And thanks to "The Babes," "The Guys" and "The GRANDkids" for walking along side of me this first year without him. The love and care that you have all given to me so freely is truly a gift from God.
Mom
Posted by: Peggy Bergfalk | January 18, 2011 at 10:30 AM
You guys are in my heart and prayers today, Judy!
Posted by: Ben Stears | January 18, 2011 at 11:06 AM
Thank you for the sweet tribute to our dad. He is just so cute and sitting there doing one of his favorite things eating ice cream. Just made me wonder if there is heavenly ice cream. I have never much comtimplated heaven until my dad landed there a year ago and now I seem to think of it often and just wonder. I must say I love wondering. I have felt the same physical heaviness in my heart as I did a year ago, these last few weeks, as I had my last day anniversay with dad two weeks ago. Missing everyone. Lori
Posted by: Lori Daniels | January 18, 2011 at 04:50 PM
I lost my Dad to idiopathic cystic fibrosis Jan 2009 and I so understand your lost. I really love your last sentence: "I do know now that I have a God that is way bigger than death and all the sorrow that comes with it." Ain't that the truth. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Lee Ann L. | January 18, 2011 at 04:55 PM
What you wrote is so nice and what a wonderful father you have. What a blessing to know that ". . . by His stripes. . ." your father is healed. Not just the healing of forgiveness, which of course is the most important, but physically he is healed.
Posted by: Sue | January 19, 2011 at 05:11 AM