Because my Friend Buried her Daddy this Week

So...This one never got posted.
I remember crying when I wrote it.
Friends are special, and it's so important to be there for them in their times of need.
Her Daddy's funeral sparked so many emotions for me.
This post was written two years ago, and I haven't been on this blog since.
So much has happened since that day.
Many were terrific things, but there were also a few more gut-wrenching funerals to attend.

So...here's the post I wrote before I temporarily quit.



One of my friends lost her Daddy last week.

Funerals are tough for me sometimes.

Funerals for Daddy's are very tough.

They bring back the memories of the day we laid Daddy to rest.

I can see it as clearly as if it were yesterday.

I see my kids' faces as they tried to understand the details.

I see my Momma, crying at the casket, not wanting to leave his side for the last time.

I hear Taps being played.

I feel the cold October wind blowing in my face

 as the minister gave final prayers and cows mooed in the neighboring pasture.

I see my family and friends gathered around the metal gray casket trimmed with silver handles.

 --Their faces sad and tear stained.

I see relatives and friends taking roses from flower arrangements.

I hear friends saying, "I'm sorry" over and over again.

I can't explain the pain in my heart that I felt for my friend.

I had a lump in my throat for three days.

I know that we celebrate for her Daddy
He lived a purposeful life.
He was close to his family, loved God, and made memories.

He is healthy again in Heaven and is celebrating the New Year with Jesus!

He's having the family reunion of all reunions!

We rejoice in the love of Jesus

 and the fact that Eternity in Heaven is available to those 

who believe and accept Jesus into their hearts!

However...

The pain for those left behind is real.

We hurt because we know we will miss him.

We won't get hugs or hear his laugh.

His grandkids won't get the "atta boy" or "atta girl" encouragement

from their Pops.

He won't go hiking with his friends or camping with his family.

He won't be taking his grandchildren fishing.

The vacations together are now only memories.

There will be no more vacations as the whole group.

He won't be there for anniversaries, birthdays, holidays.

Pops will physically be missing.

THIS.

This is what makes it hard.

My Daddy has been gone for nine years now.

I wish I could say that  everything is better after time.

It's not really better.

It's just different.

Life is different now.

I know that he watches over us and sees that the kids have grown.

He must be busting at the buttons proud of them for their accomplishments.

I know that he is with his Lord and Savior.

I know I will see him again some day.

Every once in a while, though...

I WISH I could have a hug.

I WISH I could see his sweet face,

full of laughter with twinkle in his eyes.

I WISH he would fling a rubber band at me

or pop me with a wet dish towel.

I WISH he would fling a snowball from behind a tree

and hit me square in the chest.

(he usually aimed at my face)

And sometimes...I even wish he would tie firecrackers to the front door

in order to scare the daylights out of me when I opened it.

My Daddy was always present 

even though he worked a swing shift 

and slept a lot of weird hours.

He gave hugs.

He taught me my basketball jump shot.

He worked on my layups with me.

He played one on one in the driveway.

He gave more hugs.

He changed the oil in my car.

He filled the gas tank.

He checked tire pressure.

He gave more hugs.

He helped me with homework.

(I despised current events and all things map-related...

and he was patient enough to figure it out.)

He funded my college education.

He funded my clothing and shoe obsession.

He tearfully gave me away at my wedding.

He helped me get a summer job at the Power Plant.

(I drove a fork lift and wore steel toed shoes and a hard hat.)

He gave MORE hugs.

He helped his parents when they needed it.

He helped his friends when they needed it.

He helped strangers when they needed it.

He was a man of integrity.

He loved us.

We were lucky to have him in our lives.

He is physically gone but certainly not forgotten.

His hugs fixed everything.

His laughter melted my heart.

His ornery grin cheered me up and always made me laugh.

There are a few gifts around the house given to me by my Daddy...

...a Christmas bowl bought at an auction before he passed 

(given to me the Christmas after he passed)

...pieces of jewelry

...angel figurines

(chosen by Momma and endorsed by Daddy)

and other little things.

These gifts remind me daily of how much he loved us.

They remind me to be like him...loving, kind, faithful, AND ornery.

Funerals are tough.

HOWEVER...

They help me focus on good memories

rather than the loss and sadness in my heart.

Yes, I'm sad that my Daddy is gone.

I'm happy to have the incredible memories, though.

I'm fortunate enough to know that we'll be reunited in Heaven someday.

Until then, I'll pray for my friend who just lost her Daddy.

I'll be there to hold her on days she is overcome with grief.

I'll encourage her on days that she feels she can't "adult" because her heart is heavy.

Life, even with death, is delicious.

Please pray for my friend with me.

Gracious Father in Heaven, Thank you for this day.  Thank you for a new year, fresh starts, and new beginnings.  As we celebrate the New Year, we also celebrate a precious life which was dedicated to serving you and serving others.  His passing brings new challenges to his family, and we ask that you comfort them in their time of loss.  We ask that you guide them as they move through their grief and find their new normal.  We ask that you give them peace and understanding.  Above all else, God, I ask that you wrap your loving arms around them.  Please let them feel the prayers being prayed for them.  Please let them feel your comforting arms as you carry them through this difficult time.  Thank you for blessing us with Daddies.  Please be with this family and give them comfort, Lord. In the sweet name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.