Tribute to My Dad

My father died unexpectedly earlier this year. Here is a tribute I wrote for him, which my brother read during his memorial service in NY.

 ------------------------------

Among daughters, I am blessed. If there’s something traveling around the world has taught me, it’s that having the godly father I did is not common among women.

Because of him I understand that sometimes faith is messy, but it’s always worth the struggle. He instilled in me the confidence and courage to live obediently to what God has asked me to do, no matter where it may take me. I have always admired his commitment to his family, his integrity and work ethic, and his sincere love for all things sacred.

He was in many ways the personification of my Heavenly Father on earth. He was my rescuer.  I remember the time when my Chevette broke down in Brockport, NY at 11:30 p.m. on a freezing January night. He got out of bed and came and got me.  When he pulled me on the snowmobile in Kendall and I got my face planted in the snow, he would pick me up and brush off the snow.  I used to be so frightened of thunderstorms, but he would always sit with me on the porch as the thunder clapped and the lightning bolted. Today, living on a tropical island, I absolutely love a good thunderstorm.

My dad also represented unflinching grace. I didn’t always make stellar decisions, but he never judged me for them—even when I judged myself. He was just always present, constant, and understanding.  I always knew he was proud of me despite the sometimes painful, strength-building processes I had to go through. His love never had any conditions attached to it.

I miss my dad every day. I miss the genuine excitement in his voice every time we skyped or talked on the phone no matter how many miles and oceans separated us. I miss lecturing him about diet and exercise.  I used to dream about living next door to him so that we could do some “light” exercising together every day.  I miss knowing that he was always there for my mom. What an amazing example of a husband who loved his wife as Christ loved the church he was. I miss the father who always put the needs of others before his own.

To be honest, even with the eternal promise of heaven, I still long to have him here on this earth. Just a little more time is all I want—time for him to see his grandson play in a soccer game, time to cook him one more meal because we all know he loved his food, time to have him tell me one more time to be careful and safe, time for another round of euchre.  I want just one more hug and one more reassurance that even with life’s unpredictability, everything is going to work out well if I trust in God with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Thank you, dad, for teaching me so much about living this life with dignity and unreserved loved and for raising me to know the promise of the life hereafter. I can’t wait to reunite with you again in the sweet by and by when we meet on that beautiful shore.

Always and Forever,

Your Daughter Kimberly