Dad's memorial service
Thank you all so much for your comments, emails, and cards. They have been a great encouragement over these past days. It's been a very difficult time, but we're doing well.
We had the memorial service yesterday morning. We had been hoping to see quite a few folks turn out and that indeed was the case. There were many family members (both from here and several of my dad's sisters and brothers that flew in from Ohio, Georgia, and Florida), long-time friends, folks my dad did jobs for, and even a buddy from a Waffle House my dad frequented. It was wonderful for a son to see everyone who showed up to honor his dad.
Amidst the songs and photos that we programmed to share, we had an "open mic" time for anyone to recount a memory, or what have you, with my dad. What a special time to hear so many people talk about the way he loved them and their families. It was truly beautiful and made it so obvious that he was a unique man. In situations like that I can't help but think about what would be said at such a service for me. Would I have so many say that I was their best friend? Would I be remembered for loving people so self-lessly? Would I be remembered as a servant? My dad was all of those things and more.
One thing that sticks out so clearly came from the message that a friend and minister from our church shared. He was talking about when Jesus raised Lazarus from the grave, saying "come out". He went on to describe how at some point my dad received that same call from the Lord and left his earthly grave clothes to be raised anew in the presence of the Almighty. What an incredible picture! It's made all the more powerful thinking about how I was surely able to watch that happen.
Thinking through everything that happened...everything that was said about my dad...I am so amazed and proud of who he became. His story is one of transformation. My dad really seemed to start his life over...make up for some of the things in the past. These last several years he was able to reorganize his life so that he could be there for people. He tirelessly served them with attention to both their work-related (everything from remodeling their homes to fixing their lawnmowers) and spiritual needs. He loved us kids so dearly and wanted so badly to be able to spend more time with us...something God allowed us to do these past few months before he went home. He was a wonderful man. He was my dad and I loved him so much.
We had the memorial service yesterday morning. We had been hoping to see quite a few folks turn out and that indeed was the case. There were many family members (both from here and several of my dad's sisters and brothers that flew in from Ohio, Georgia, and Florida), long-time friends, folks my dad did jobs for, and even a buddy from a Waffle House my dad frequented. It was wonderful for a son to see everyone who showed up to honor his dad.
Amidst the songs and photos that we programmed to share, we had an "open mic" time for anyone to recount a memory, or what have you, with my dad. What a special time to hear so many people talk about the way he loved them and their families. It was truly beautiful and made it so obvious that he was a unique man. In situations like that I can't help but think about what would be said at such a service for me. Would I have so many say that I was their best friend? Would I be remembered for loving people so self-lessly? Would I be remembered as a servant? My dad was all of those things and more.
One thing that sticks out so clearly came from the message that a friend and minister from our church shared. He was talking about when Jesus raised Lazarus from the grave, saying "come out". He went on to describe how at some point my dad received that same call from the Lord and left his earthly grave clothes to be raised anew in the presence of the Almighty. What an incredible picture! It's made all the more powerful thinking about how I was surely able to watch that happen.
Thinking through everything that happened...everything that was said about my dad...I am so amazed and proud of who he became. His story is one of transformation. My dad really seemed to start his life over...make up for some of the things in the past. These last several years he was able to reorganize his life so that he could be there for people. He tirelessly served them with attention to both their work-related (everything from remodeling their homes to fixing their lawnmowers) and spiritual needs. He loved us kids so dearly and wanted so badly to be able to spend more time with us...something God allowed us to do these past few months before he went home. He was a wonderful man. He was my dad and I loved him so much.
posted by Michael Shattuck at
7:06 AM
1 Comments:
It sounds like the service was wonderful and just what you needed. Isn't the Lord good that He gave you the chance to spend time with your dad before it was time for his homegoing!
You're still in my prayers.
Blessings,
Deborah
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