Any disease that can take a wonderful healthy man
and strip away every bit of vitality and strength from him
is just wrong. No one should have to die this way. No one should have to suffer that much. I hate it. At least I do have the consolation of getting to say goodbye. Knowing that my last words to him were I love you. Getting to tell him how much he means to me. Letting him know what a great father he has been.
I love Dallin’s outlook on things. When I told him yesterday that Granddaddy had passed away, Dallin immediately wanted to write him a card to put on his grave.
He wrote:
I love you Granddaddy. I hope you have a great time in heaven.
I love thinking of it that way. That Daddy is just going away for a while to have a great time! And I really think he will. I know he has greatly missed his own father and I know that they are very likely having a beautiful reunion right now. I have a feeling that even though we can’t see him that my dad will be watching over us. He loves his grandchildren too much to miss anything that they do :)
We will miss him so much. His quiet laugh. His simple outlook on things. His generous heart. His unfaltering belief in us. His faith in Jesus Christ. The great man he was.
For any of those who wish to attend, his funeral will be held on Wednesday, May 26th at 1:00 p.m. It will be a simple graveside service because Daddy liked things simple. It will be held at the family graveyard.
Katheryn,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about your dad, but relieved that his suffering is over. (My sister died of cancer 5 years ago, and it IS a very nasty, nasty disease.)
Please give our love to your mom, your brothers and sisters, Aunt Doris, and Becky. Wish I could be there to give y'all hugs.
Love ya,
Carolyn
Katheryn, I'm so sorry! This post is very moving! I love the picture of your dad when he was healthy! That's how I choose to remember him. I'll never forget his smile and wave. We used to see him every morning when he'd come to his farm. I'd be out walking with the kids and he would always stop to say hello. We have been praying for him and for your family.
ReplyDeleteYesterday evening I went to check on Aunt Doris, your Mom and siblings. We sat around and talked and shared stories of your Dad. I'm glad he no longer has to suffer. We'll see you at the service. We love you and wish we could ease the pain you feel. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Becky
P.S. I absolutely love Dallin's note. That is so sweet. I am positive that your Dad will be watching over his loved ones and smiling from above.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the hardest things we have to endure in this life. It is bitter/sweet. We know our loved one is happy but those left behind are sad. I love you, Katheryn and your family as well. I feel they are part of my family too. Your post is a beautiful tribute, and I also love Dallin's note. I love those kids so much.
ReplyDeleteKatheryn-
ReplyDeletePlease let me know if i can help with anything! iam so sorry about your father. i love the picture of him with your children. He looks so sweet and happy.I think you have his smile! We love you and our prayers are with you.
I am sorry that your dad is gone. My heart aches for you. I know it will be a while before you see him again, but he is no longer suffering in pain, that I am thankful for. And like Dallin I hope he is having fun in heaven. Let us know if there is anything we can do. We love you.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about your dad, but also glad that his suffering is over. I'm praying for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI hate cancer too. I am truly sad for you. I know how much you love your dad and I can't even imagine what you must be feeling. I pray for you that you will be blessed with comfort and strength. I know you are strong and have a firm testimony, but it must still be hard. We love you and will do whatever we can to help ease your burden.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss here on earth. Try and find comfort in how wonderful it will be to see them again one day and that he is not longer in pain. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers! Such a great post about your dad and I love Dallin's note.
ReplyDeleteOh, Katheryn, I am sorry. I am so grateful for your love for him.
ReplyDeleteKAtheryn,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for you and your family. I can only imagine what a kind and loving man he must have been to have raised a daughter like you. I am sure your great and amazing testimony was not only a soft place to land for you but how lucky your sweet kids are to have been taught all the blessings of the church and are happy to know where their grandpa is. You are in my families thoughts and prayers.... we love you. When you get home we should plan a girls night out with all the ladies and go do some laughing. Let me know if I can do anything!
Katheryn,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your dad. Hope you and your family remain strong and continue to feel his love. Absolutely love Dallin's note, so cute and meaningful.
Maybe we should start the I Hate Cancer Foundation!! I hate cancer, too! I watched Jason's granddad go from a healthy vibrant man to nothing! I have had too many people in my life suffer from it. Please let me know if there is we can do for you! We love your family and would love to be of service to you.
ReplyDeleteKatheryn,
ReplyDeleteThe words just wont come. I am so very sorry for your family's loss, and please let me know if there is anything I can do.
I will join your and Casey's foundation. Watching my sister go through Chemo was awful, and I just hope my Dad's cancer won't require it.
If there is one thing to say about this disease, it is that it teaches such strength and courage. Although working on the Peds cancer unit was tough at times, I can honestly say that there is nothing like the Spirit and quiet strength on that floor.
Bless you and your family, and we will have to do girls' night when you are up to it. Love you.
Thank you everyone for all of your kind words. It is nice to know that so many people love and care about our family, especially at this time.
ReplyDeleteDear Katheryn,
ReplyDeleteI love you and I'm glad you are a part of our family. Nathan has been blessed with a marvelous companion for time and for all eternity. I grieve for you and your family. In the quiet moments, when your thoughts are turned to the Lord, may he lighten your burden and part the veil ever so slightly to turn your tears of loss to tears of sweet joy. I'm so sorry I won't be there next Wednesday.
Love Dad