Dad's Funeral & Thoughts

I am absolutely overwhelmed! The outpouring of love for our family the last two days has been amazing!

Last night we stood for five hours and shook hands with hundreds of people who were in many ways connected to my dad. There were some of his life-long mates, family that I have not met yet, and people who have known him for only a few months. Church friends, family friends, work friends--just FRIENDS.

I think that is the most spoken word all night last night. Dad made such an impact on people that he was able to make many friends. The attachments he made were nearly always immediate and long lasting.

Thanks for your prayers. I was able to talk with boldness and confidence at his funeral today and the only thing I can attribute that to is all the prayers that were lifted up on my behalf. I didn't want to do it so that people would brag. It was not some kind of "I-have-to-be-strong" trip. I just so wanted to talk about my dad and honor him and thanks be to God I was able to do so.

I really feel that God has been with us through all this. Why should I expect anything else? I have been at peace so much. I attribute that peace to the comfort of the Holy Spirit. He is present in our lives.

The hardest part today for some reason was when they handed my mom that American Flag. I don't know what it was, but that really tugged at my heart. I guess it was the final thing to happen before they laid his body in the ground.

Well, this chapter in my life is now closed. It has been painful. It has been inspiring. It has been exhausting. I know there will be more to this as time travels on. I know that is especially true for mom. She has many things to deal with that I don't even know. I know that at times things will be lonely for her. Please pray that God will help her.

There will never be a day go by that I don't think of him in some way. I will miss him so terribly bad. I want right now to be wheeling him out of that hospital and taking him home like I always did after a bought with pneumonia, but it is not going to happen.

One thing I do know, my dad would want us to move on. We must believe that and do that. He was that unselfishness. I know we can do that and know too that his spirit will ever be alive in Kent and me. I just want to make him proud and be the kind of unselfish, friendly, loving father, husband, and friend to others that he was.

I am rambling somewhat and I will end now by saying again to all of you who read this blog and respond in some way, either by posting or calling me, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT!! I love you all.