My Dad passed away last night

(Post was from October 2, 2020) My Dad passed away last night. Our family was together. Much sadness, grieving, relief, and hope. We are going to miss our Dad tremendously. He was a big source of love, support, and joy in our lives. I still can’t believe that I’m writing these words, even knowing this was coming for years. My Dad was a big supporter of me and my siblings. He wanted us to succeed in every area of life and we could feel that. He was proud of us, even though we gave him every gray hair on his head. (at least us boys did) We always knew he was in our corner. We lost a tremendous advocate. My Dad was a kind man and a helper. He didn’t just help his family, but he really cared for his dental patients here in Roseburg, his friends, his church, and all those fortunate to know him. For example, I had a good friend who was ill and going back and forth from the hospital and a local long term care facility. Being that I lived so far away, I couldn’t be there in person to support my friend. So I remember asking Dad if he would be willing to visit my friend for me. Well, he ended up visiting him almost daily for months on end and the man quickly became my Dad’s friend as well. I’ll never forget that, his willingness and faithfulness to see our friend to the end of his journey. My Dad was a good friend. Several years ago I was living in Portland and Dad was freshly retired with lots of time on his hand. I was often out driving around town picking up and delivering appliances and would often call Dad and talk with him as I drove. It became part of our daily routine and we really bonded over those years. We both helped each other through some hard times. I remember getting ribbed about all those daily conversations with Dad, cause who talks with their Dad for an hour a day for hundreds of days on end? I don’t regret one of those conversations. As the Alzheimers started to progress, activities he’d enjoyed his entire life, he’d all of a sudden just lose interest in them. I remember when our phone conversations fell victim to the wretched disease. We had been talking only a few minutes and all of a sudden Dad just kind of cut the conversation short after just a few minutes and said he better get going. He did the same thing the next day and then slowly stopped wanting to talk on the phone altogether. At the time, I didn’t understand the changes were being caused by the Alzheimers. It was so hard these past years slowly saying goodbye. Dad loved Jesus and is with Him today not because my Dad was perfect, but because he put his faith and trust in a perfect God. My Dad’s two favorite songs were Amazing Grace and Ten Thousand Reasons. I have a video from a year and a half ago of him getting emotional as he sang these words at the end of the song. “And on that day when my strength is failing The end draws near and my time has come Still, my soul will sing Your praise unending Ten thousand years and then forevermore Forevermore” Forevermore Dad! Dad, thank you for everything, we miss you dearly and love you.