In All Things...

We Give God Thanks 

This is a picture taken April 7 on our dad's 84th  and last birthday celebration on this side of eternity. We surprised him. He was upset that he wasn't "properly dressed" but  had on "work" clothes (his words). Zoom in. Look at that smile. Priceless! On October 4, he was birthed back into eternity. We celebrated his home going celebration October 14 which was dad's first born son's birthday. 

On the morning of his home going celebration, I woke up with excitement. God didn't disappoint. It was a beautiful day. The Funeral Service  wasn't somber or sad. It was a celebration of a life well-lived. 

At the homegoing celebration, I didn't shed  a tear as I stood to talk about dad's life, love and legacy. Dad was a sound Believer. He lived to see great great grandchildren. His hair was white- not gray. There was no mixture of black and white. 

Dad wasn't taken from us. Near the  end of his days while in a sound mind, he made healthcare choices which demonstrated he truly believed that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Dad was ready to go home and be with the Lord. Before taking his leave, he made sure he gave a charge to his sons to take care of our mom who was his bride  of 58 years. Dad passed peacefully at home, surrounded by family. He released his blessings upon us in his last days in the earth. 

We bless God for grace, comfort, peace, joy and strength. Thanks to family and friends for traveling to be present with us.  Some traveled for  hours and hours to visit for a few hours and then turned around to drive back home to attend to other duties. Thanks to family and friends for prayers, words of comfort , flowers, cards, and bereavement gifts. Love is an action word! We thank God for the love we've received during this time of bereavement.