In Loving Memory of My Daddy

As many of you know, my Dad has battled cancer for the last 20 years.  I watched him fight hard, pray hard, love hard, live hard.  Last week, I watched as he took his last breath and went to meet his Maker.  My heart broke with the emptiness I immediately felt and would continue to feel over the next days/months/years.

But I am reminded there is reason to rejoice...

As my 5-year old exclaimed, "Grandpa went to Heaven today!  He got a new body!"  Praise God!
(She then said, "Oh rats, he got to go before us.")

He fought so hard and endured more in his lifetime than any one person should ever have to.  I was blessed enough to take care of him and to have such a unique, close relationship with him.  I feel honored to call him my Dad, to have him care for me all of my days, to have been with him in his final days on earth and to hold his body as he made his way to Heaven. 

My heart still aches and my stomach still sinks as I long to just speak with Dad one more time. He was always so good at comforting me and offering sound advice. I see his humor and compassion in my young daughter and in my brother (a spitting-image of my Dad).  I am reminded daily what a great man he is!  I miss him dearly and I will always love him completely.

As my family grieves and supports each other through this time, I will be putting all else on hold.

Thank you all for your continued prayers for my Dad and our family.

With Love,

Rachael