So, it has been awhile since I have blogged. I have a lot to blog about, but I really wanted to write a little tribute to my Dad first.
My Dad passed away on February 28th, 2010. It was a Sunday evening. Sunday morning, he woke up, and felt up to going to church, but then he had a coughing fit, and stayed home. By Sunday evening, his body was just too tired to go on. My mom put it nicely when she said his mind was willing, but his body was too weak. He always had such a great attitude.
I really feel blessed to have had such great parents in my life. I cannot express enough appreciation to have grown up with parents so faithful to their testimonies of the gospel. I am eternally grateful. I have countless memories of my Dad bearing his testimony of the gospel. He said he didn't remember a time when he didn't know it wasn't true. What a great blessing to have had such great parents. It is an example to me of what kind of parent I would like to be to my children.
There are many many things I can write about what a great man my dad was, but one thing has impressed me and I have thought about it over and over and over for the past year. I never heard my dad complain. He never said "Why me," or anything. My Mom was also a stellar care taker. She really focused on each moment in time trying to enjoy every minute she had with my Dad. To me, looking back, they were such a great team. They both did what they could for each other, lovingly and patiently. My Dad couldn't do a lot for my mom, but for that last Valentine's Day, he asked Ruth to get my Mom the biggest box of chocolates she could find for him to give to my Mom. The love they had for each other, and the way they lived their lives through this challenge, really has touched me. I think a life of living the gospel has blessed them, especially in the challenging times. Their faith held them up and gave them such strenth. I saw it. It was such a blessing. I hope to live like that.
I am so grateful I have the knowledge of the gospel in my life. I know we have an eternal family, and I will see my Dad again. I know it. I know it. What peace this knowledge has given me at this time. I am so grateful.
