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Wednesday, April 28, 2010

My Dad

I am the resurrection and the life:
he that believeth in me, though he were dead,
yet shall he live.
John 11:25
Shuler Family
Death is not exactly a happy subject.  But sometimes it is something that you have to come to terms with even if you really don’t want to.  Considered from an eternal perspective, it is only a stepping stone on our path to returning to live with our Heavenly Father.  The wonderful thing is that we don’t have to live in darkness wondering what happens to us after we die.  Christ has already laid the path before us.  We know that like Him and through Him we too will be resurrected.

My dad called all of us together this past weekend to tell us that the cancer treatments that he underwent were not successful.  There is no way of knowing exactly when the cancer will finally overtake him.  It could be weeks.  It could be months.  But he is prepared.  He does not doubt what our Savior taught.  He knows that though he may die, yet shall he live again.  It is not the end.  Just another step along the path to eternal life.

This past weekend was hard.  Unlike anything I have ever experienced.  It was difficult to watch my dad cry as he expressed his love for us and what his wishes were.  I think even more difficult though was to witness the deterioration of his body.  To see what he has suffered.  I pray now not that he might be cured, but that he might not suffer even more.

My dad’s life is a very full one.  As you can see from the picture above, he definitely does not lack people that love him.  And what more could a person ask for?  But to live a life where at the end you know you have touched others and brought goodness to their lives.  He is especially loved by his grandchildren.  Mandy told me yesterday that she would like to die.  I of course almost panicked because why in the world would my beautiful 4 year old want to die?  I asked her and she answered - “Because I really want to be with Granddaddy when he dies.”   So I happily explained to her that she would not need to die now, but that she could wait a very long time and Granddaddy would still be waiting for her.  Just as so many others will be waiting for him when my dad finishes his days in mortality. 

Never have I been so grateful for my faith in Jesus Christ and in our Heavenly Father as I am now.
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11 comments:

  1. KYLIAApril 28, 2010 at 8:44 AM

    TK - I haven't visited the blog in a while and I started crying when I saw this. I'm so sorry. I know you were there for me when I went through this, so I hope I can be there for you. My favorite thing with about your dad is his sense of humor. I always greet him with "hey ugly" and he greets me with "hey uglier than me." What a mess he is! I'm praying for y'all! Love you!

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  2. Laurel ShawApril 28, 2010 at 8:57 AM

    So sorry Katheryn. You are right the Gospel does bring us such peace in tough times. When we wonder why does it have to be this way-Heavenly Father already has the answer for us. Please let me know what i can do for you. My prayers are with you and your family.

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  3. that1gamer2knowApril 28, 2010 at 10:44 AM

    Katheryn, what a wonderfully beautiful post. Please let me or Casey know if there is anything you need. We will always be here to support you and your family.

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  4. The Sauls FamilyApril 28, 2010 at 3:40 PM

    Bless your heart, Katheryn. *BIG HUGS*

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  5. sarahshulerApril 28, 2010 at 6:00 PM

    i,m sad to.

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  6. Becky ShulerApril 29, 2010 at 8:55 AM

    This post is beautiful - from the heart. I am so glad you got a family picture of everyone together and that you got to all be there for your dad this weekend. It is hard to see how he looks now. But our knowledge of the gospel can help us through difficult times like these. We are praying for your Dad and your whole family. We love you. Hang in there.

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  7. IleneApril 29, 2010 at 10:17 AM

    My heart feels for you, I know how I would feel if my parents were suffering as I'm sure yours is. Considering my parents are only 46 this year, I hope I have several more years before I have to experience their loss. But I am glad that the gospel is here to bring peace and some understanding when we need it most. I'm sure he is a wonderful person, because I know you are. We will keep your family in our prayers. Let us know if there is anything we can do for you. We love you.

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  8. minnieokraApril 30, 2010 at 3:21 AM

    Thanks Katheryn

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  9. mrsarmogansclassMay 4, 2010 at 1:02 PM

    What a beautiful post and testimony! I too am grateful for the gospel and the hope it gives us of what is to be and all that we can become. I'm grateful we don't have to live in darkness and fear, but instead be reassured that we are not lost and that we have a purpose and a plan. Even with this knowledge, there is unfortunately still sadness and pain. Please know you and your dad are in our prayers and if you need ANYTHING we're just a phone call away!

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  10. Becky ShulerMay 10, 2010 at 10:02 AM

    Mama Doris said: "Well done thy good and faithful servant...welcome home"

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  11. Kyle PeddieMay 11, 2010 at 9:14 PM

    Rachel told me of your blog at the baseball game tonight. Mr. David has always been so nice to me and my family. He always spent a lot of time in Hosford especially at T&P to eat. We would often see him there and he was always so kind to everyone there. Yall have a great and beautiful family. May God truly grant you peace and comfort through this most difficult time. Thanks for sharing with us all.

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