Today marks the 5th anniversary of my Grandpa meeting the Lord. My mom woke up this morning and wrote a precious e-mail to her three sisters.
This is a daughter's heart...
Hi Sisters,
It is 6:00 a.m. and I got up this morning remembering Dad. Can't believe it's been 5 years.
What an extraordinary man. In this election year we are hearing about true bravery,heroism and character throughout the media It's all about John McCain and Obama. But I say, did they know our Dad?
Our Dad faced down the German army, not because he was overly brave, but because he was a true patriot, just like John McCain. He loved his country, even unto death. He was a proud American who obeyed authority. He was humble and didn't even except his reward for doing a great job in France.
He loved his family. He loved our mother. Even when it was really hard taking care of her when she was sick. He took his marriage vows very seriously. "In sickness and in health" meant just that.
He loved us, even though we probably drove him crazy at times. (I know I did) Four Girls. It takes just the right kind of parents to be the parents of girls. Our parents were good at it. He loved us until he took his last breath. Be assured of that.
He loved Anita and vice-a-versa. What a blessing that he didn't have to live out the remainder of his life alone. And what a blessing it is that she loves him still and misses him everyday.
Who did he love the best? That ones easy. Our Dad loved the Lord with all his heart, soul and mind.. More than anything! He relied on the Lord for every breath he took. He lived his life each day to the best he knew how, hoping to please God. He didn't always get it right, but he knew forgiveness and how to get it. He knew that God preserved his life during WWII for a reason and he didn't disappoint God in how he lived it beyond that time.
Do you want to see Dad today? I do. I wish I was near all of you today because that's where Dad is. In each of us. Everytime we're together, I see him and Mom more and more clearly. Not just in our looks, but in our character and the way we live our lives. What a legacy he left us.
It's 9/11 and a day of remembrance. I'm remembering Dad.
I love you, Sarah
Sisters (photos by Joanna)
15 years ago
3 comments:
I am so grateful to your mom for writing this and to you for posting it. It just makes me even more to consider...weigh heavily the things that I choose to do and the things that I say. I want to leave a legacy that matters. Not of material possessions, but of the things that you can't put a value on. Like the things your grandpa did. What an example...
Thank you Ashley for your precious comment. The legacy Grandpa left to my mom is my heritage and part of the great journey of the legacy and heritage I will leave my daughters and sons.
As for your comment on our choice for entertainment... a group of kids from our college/career group came over tonight and the guys thought it would be a "good" idea to put the dog collars on and run across the fence line and "see" if it hurt. They started with the puppy's collar 1st, then went to Zoeys, then decided to do both at once. Kids... Okay, i admit it....i did the puppy collar...but not on my neck...on my arm...does that make it better?
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