Dad

"Grief is love's shadow. Tears release sadness that must not dominate, leaving only love, somewhat older, wiser, calmer and yet renewed, reborn, freshened, enlarged, flowering. The soul was not made by God to be sorrows home. He would have us happy."

                                                               S. Micheal Wilcox




My dad passed away on January 24th, 2012. I was fortunate enough to be with him when he passed as were other family members. He passed very peacefully and I'm so grateful for that.

 These two photos show some of the display we had set up at his funeral. Dad served in the Navy. He joined when he was only 17 years old. I cant imagine one of my sons doing that at 17! My heart aches when I think of what my grandmother must have suffered when he left home at such a young age!

 Dad owned a service station when I was a little girl. It was called "The Beeline." I have very fond memories of riding my bicycle there to visit my dad and to get candy and a soda pop!

 My Handsome boys were pall-bearers.

 My cousin played the bagpipes at the burial. The protocol is to stand at a distance from the burial site before he starts to play. Then he walked all over the cemetery as he played. It was awesome, and made for uncontrollable tears!

 Here are the pall bearers, a son-in-law and some grandsons carrying  Dad to his final resting place.

 and he walks....

 Dad had a military service and this is the flag ceremony. It was awesome (to say the very least) watching them fold the flag and present it to my mother! What a tear jerker!

 Here's the 21-gun salute, but they really only shoot three times. That was awesome as well! What an
honorable, wonderful and well deserved tribute to my dad.

A final loving gesture to grandpa.

And he walks.....

It was hard to watch my dad suffer so long with his many health problems. I'm grateful that he is finally happy and free of pain and misery.  One thing I now know for sure.... it is much easier to let someone I love go,  than have them taken! ........Dad now lies to the east of David.

I love you Dad. xoxoxo Until we meet again....