QotD: Lessons from Dad
What lesson did your father teach you that still helps you in life?
This is what I wrote/ read at memorial service for my daddy.
Bumpa's a Genius. Ask Luke – he'll tell you........
taught him this phrase several years ago when we needed something built
or fixed. At 4 years of age, he's learned what we all know – If's
something is broken, Just call Bumpa. Mechanical, electrical, plumbing,
financial, you name it – He could fix it. Anyone who's seen the train
table he built for Luke's 3rd birthday, know that when he
did something, he did it RIGHT. I'd actually be interested to see a
show of hands for everyone here who has had him fix or invent or build
something for them. …….As I thought. Now when it came to computers, he
met his match with my husband but I think Vernon looked
at it as a pretty fair trade for all things he helped us with on our
house, including our new toilet which he replaced on December 9th.
Just 12 days before the news that changed our world. I figure God must
need some plumbing done so he called up the best. As I sat last night
in his desk chair at the computer desk where he spent so many hours
playing Euchre and doing the church books, I looked around and saw one
of his latest inventions – a little hot plate that he fashioned from
wood and an old crockpot. Why let it go to waste? Now his coffee could
stay warm. He really was a bit of a MacGuyver. He could craft some
useful device out of odds and ends, out of "nothing." While we all
witnessed these "physical" transformations that he made from wood,
metal, and wire, I now realize that Dad had a skill at transforming
people also. His example and influence have touched many lives. I know
for me, his incredible work ethic and self motivation have been
instilled in me and allowed me to achieve what I have in this life. Now
if you ask anyone, especially Mom – she'll tell you that he and I are
too much alike. It frequently caused us to butt heads, but that was
bound to happen when 2 people who are always right disagree. It took me
a long time to learn not to argue with him. I think about his ability
to fix things and how I have relied on him every day. If I had a
problem or a question, I called him. He didn't always give me the
answers I wanted but he answered. On so many levels he was the earthly
Father setting the example set out for us by our Heavenly Father in the
Bible. We seek our Lord in prayer. He answers. We don't always like the
answers. Our Heavenly Father transforms nothings into somethings. He
makes us his children and saves us. After 38 years of relying on my Dad
to fix things, I was pretty used to doing that. So when this biggest
challenge in my life arose, I still wanted him to fix it. I wanted him
to fight and beat this. Go out in his workshop and make some magic. I
wanted him to fix this damn disease and make it go away so we can all
have him with us here on earth for years to come. But it wasn't to be
this time. I had to let my heart be transformed this time by my
heavenly Father. I needed to accept the fact that he was needed in
heaven and that we are now left to use what he taught
us……Give…..Work…..Teach……Love…..Have High Expectations….Do it now and
do it Right…. Hold each other and yourself accountable….Have
FUN!.......LIVE! Live while you can. We now know that he was sick for a
while. Did it change him? Not until he had no choice.
Over the past few weeks I've felt God working in my heart and telling me that everything is going to be OK. Dad has done his work at making me the person I am today and I can make it. Not that it's easy. I know my heavenly father is in his workshop still transforming my head and heart in to adjusting to life without Bumpa. I pray he continues to make this known to me and with help from those who love me and my family will find the strength to fix the hole we now feel in our hearts.
In closing, I'll share with you 2 quotes from Luke and Rachel over the past 2 days.
Last night we read a book about funerals and what has taken place the past few days. Luke said, "I really miss Bumpa. He was the best Bumpa ever!"
And finally ….
After Bumpa left for heaven and we waited for the nurse, Rachel sat on
my lap by Dad. Rachel had heard us all talking. She was quiet for about
5 minutes and then she took a swig of milk, she paused and said, "Bumpa
all better." - and he REALLY is now.
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