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Monday, December 19, 2011

2 years....




Sunday was 2 years since we said good-bye to my Daddy. As soon as the first day of December arrives, so do the memories of those final days.

There are the precious ones;



My brother picking up Daddy and carrying him to his truck...because he was too weak and frail to do it himself.

The doctor telling my Daddy "There is nothing left to do...Go home Doug and spend time with your family." Not 5 minutes later, Daddy was on the phone with a friend from his home town of Carthage, discussing the possibility of renting a travel bus to take him to see his Mom before he died. As I sat there listening to his conversation, trying to control my emotions from the news that we had just received, I hear my daddy laughing and smiling that beautiful smile. Oh how I miss hearing that laugh.


When I heard the diagnosis of Lung Cancer, all I wanted to do was get to my Daddy. I was blessed to spend that final summer with him. Working in the yard, taking him to treatments @ the Mayo clinic, or just being together. Sharing those days with him and my children have been one of the greatest gifts the Lord has given me.

With the happy, so too, comes the sad.

Seeing my Daddy for that first time was such a shock. I had returned home just 7 weeks prior and he was still working, still driving, filled with Hope and an unbelievably positive outlook! He began having some pretty serious issues and this time, I knew, could very well be my last trip. Walking into his bedroom and seeing that frail man, my daddy, trying to be so strong for my brother and I, just ripped my heart to pieces. His attempt to be strong was short-lived, as his body was just too weak.

As we were leaving the hospital for the last time, the Dr. had told us that he didn't think daddy would be gone in "days" but that most likely, he had "a week" maybe even "10 days" before we would say our last goodbye. Once we got him home, by the following morning he began the process of letting go. He was gone within 3 days of leaving the Mayo Hospital.


The Gift

Losing my Daddy hit me hard. Very hard. My faith, for the first time ever, was shaken. From the moment I learned of his Lung Cancer diagnosis, Prayers began. Not just my prayers, but prayers from all over the world! Through my blog, and through Facebook, we were amazed at just how many people were praying, where they were praying from or offering up my Daddy's name for healing to take place. Not a day went by that we didn't receive a prayer, a note in the mail, or an encouraging word. It was so humbling. I KNEW God was at work through HIS People and in the heart of my Daddy.

Why did it take so long to find this cancer? How could there be sooooo many praying, yet at every turn, hope was diminished? Two years later, I still don't have these answers, nor do I think I ever will, this side of Heaven. My prayers for healing weren't answered in the way I asked, but my Daddy WAS healed. He was healed the minute he was in Eternity with HIS Heavenly Father.

I see him in my Son, his work ethic, his love and amazing knowledge for technology. I feel him with me when I want to pick up the phone and talk to him ~ To share something about my kids, or ask him a question, or maybe just to hear his voice. When I am outside working in my flowerbeds, the memories flood my mind as I think of all the times we worked side by side planting, mowing, picking weeds, or just talking about gardening. I am thankful for all of these and countless others that God allows me.

Gods Word tells us there is a season for everything. A season of grief is not one anyone would choose to go through.
But God has given us the Holy Spirit and when our hurt is so deep that we cannot even pray ~ He prays for us. HE comforts us in our pain and our sorrow. He gives us Peace. A Peace that truly passes all understanding.

I miss my daddy every single day. But knowing he is Home, with Jesus, seeing more than we could ever imagine! One day.. I Will see him again.

12 comments:

Kim @ Homesteader's Heart

Beautiful post my friend. I love my Dad but by him living in Maine, it's been hard to make any kind of meaningful memories with him. He worked all the time when I was at home so I don't have much memory of us "being together".
Cherish those memories you have.
HUGS
Kim

Yolanda

I totally understand, Sunday was 9 years since I said goodbye to my Mom. Miss her so!

Thinking of you

Betsy Banks Adams

Oh Loren, That made me cry. I miss my Daddy too. He died in 1969--not from lung cancer but from emphysema... Daddy smoked for 50 yrs. (like many did back then)... I remember hiding his cigarettes when I was in high school. Because of him and his habit, I NEVER smoked...

Cancer is such a wicked disease. My friend lost her mother to lung cancer quickly also... No fun..

I can imagine how much you miss your Daddy... God Bless You and your family.
Hugs,
Betsy

Cherie Hill

Praying for your comfort and joy that can only be found in Christ. I too lost my grandmother to lung cancer. She was gone in six months. It was agonizing to say the least. Knowing our loved ones are with Jesus is the GREATEST gift!!! I have many family members, that if they died today, have either not accepted or all out rejected the Lord. How wonderful of a thought that when you see your daddy again, he'll give you the grand tour of heaven!
Love and hugs,
Cherie

P.S. God has a beautiful way of redeeming loss and pain . . . my second son was "surprisingly" (early) born on the day my grandmother died. That day no longer carries a sting of pain. Isn't God wonderful!?!

RCUBEs

My dad also passed away on Dec. 4 years ago. Praying that your father's loving mem'ries will always comfort you especially at this time of the year. God bless you sister and Merry Christmas.

George

This is a marvelous tribute to your Daddy. He must have been a wonderful man. Thank you for sharing him with us, and God bless you.

Beth Herring

I can't believe it has been 2 years! it has been 17 for my sweet daddy and it still hurts. I pray that God will continue to cradle you my precious friend!

BARBIE

Oh my friend, praying that God floods your mind with the sweetest memories. May He wrap you up in His loving arms and hold you close.

Elizabeth Dianne

Thinking of you today...........

Girly Muse

This is so beautiful, Loren. Your daddy touched so many people...people who never even knew him in person. What a story. You are your daddy's girl. So loving and caring...an exceptional person. Love you. Praying for you and yours...

Musings of A Minister

Very moving post. You pulled your heart out and spread it all over the post. I believe there is something therapeutic about writing this way. I pray that you are able to feel the joy of Christmas and being with your loving family this December and into the new year. If you suddenly feel tears rolling down your cheeks--it's ok. The tears reveal who you are--a tender loving heart.

Darcie

THis post touches my heart Loren. I bet you just adore that picture of you and your dad! Truly special. I heard this saying just recently...might bring you some comfort. "When we see the sunset in life, Heaven is seeing the sunrise." Love you my friend!

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