In Honor Of My Dad

[redgirl]

Awww Donna, this is a lovely idea to use this part of the forum for people aswell as pets, your dad sounds like he was a great bloke and I am so sorry that you lost him to this terrible disease, your dad will be watching over you sweetie and will be very proud of you, you are a sweet lady, a breath of fresh air and twas your dad and your mum who have made you what you are today, sending hugs your way hun all the way from rainy england lol.xxxx :)

[Donna]

I know that this area of the forum is suppose to be in memory of our pets, but I just feel like I want to use it tonight, in memory of a very special man, my Dad.

It was just 3 years ago TODAY (As of 3:00 AM) that I lost my Father to Lou Gehrig's disease. I still can't believe he's gone. I loved him so much - And I always will. I feel honored because my Dad named me. I am the only daughter of 3 children. And I felt special because my Dad called me his "Sissy Girl."

My Dad was an alcoholic for almost the first 20 years of my life. He accepted Christ into his heart one year before I was married and wow, God really changed him into a whole new person.

At the young age of 17, my Dad joined the United States Marines Corp. and fought for his country in the Korean War Conflict during 1950. He saw many of his buddies killed, but God had a bigger and better plan for my Dad's life, and brought him home safely.

It wasn't until about 8 years after I was married, that my Dad was called to be a Pastor. He and my Mom moved to Missouri and my Dad was soon Pastor of a small country church called "Kirkley Chapel." The church itself had been around for years - but by the time my Dad filled the pulpit, the church had dwindled down to about 10 people. From the very beginning, my Dad had a vision, and knew that God was going to "GROW" that church. People thought he was crazy when he said that people would come from miles around, but guess what? It all became a reality. By the time my Dad had to step down as Pastor, (because of being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's) the church had grown to almost 80 people. Even while spending his last days in bed, Dad never gave up on life, or on the Lord. He would pray and minister to people no matter what. You could barely understand his words, but God still continued to use him to touch and change lives. I am thankful that my Dad did not have a long time to lay in bed and suffer. It was only 3 months from the time that Dad was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, until his death. Dad's funeral was the day before his (And Mom's) 51st Wedding Anniversary. It was also the day of his youngest brother's birthday.

My Dad was the best! And no matter what, he will always be with me and remain very dear to my heart. NEVER, EVER, will there be another Dad like my Dad. He was unique. He was one of a kind. He was my Dad.

I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU DAD, :crying2:
Sissy Girl

[Rosie]

Oh my gosh, that almost made me cry, Donna. Your dad sounded like a wonderful person and great dad. I'm sure he is greatly missed by everybody. I will be thinking if him today

[my budgie billy]

awww ((hugs)) i am dreading the day my parents die!.anyways i hope you can leed a long and painlees life,and hope your family does to.he fought for his country and will NEVER be forgoten.

[pal0m1n0]

My condolences Donna. I also dread the day when one of my parents go.

[Donna]

Thank you everyone, for your kind words and sympathies. It really means a lot.

Losing a parent or loved one is VERY difficult. I don't even want to think about the day that I lose my Mom, too. (She and I are very close and I love her so much!)

When my husband lost his Mother to cancer in 1997, I began agonizing over the thought of how I would ever deal with the loss of my parents. Since then, I have lost my Dad. I have found that I go through "WAVES" of pain. I have good days and I have bad days. (But mostly I have good days!) And the reason being, my Dad and Mom and whole family have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, and so I know that I will see them all again someday. I am reassured that I won't be without them forever, and so for now, I can face each day with confidence, because I am promised that I will have an eternity with them.

Life without a loved one can be a sad and very lonely time, and sometimes it seems like a very long time to be without them. But when a person knows that they are promised an ETERNITY with their loved one after death, it doesn't get any better than that.

Donna

[vicks080]

I didn't read it because im scared, but sorry for your loss

[Budgiekin]

Hi Donna,

Thank you for sharing that truly heartfelt post with us. I can't imagine what it would be like to lose a parent. I am very close to mine and I can't fathom them not being here. It just kills me to think of them not being here.

Your dad sounded like a very special man who really made great strides to improve his situation. He was lucky to have such a loving daughter like you.

[softie]

I am so sorry Donna. I know how hard it is.

My father passed away when my mother was 5 months pregnant.
Then, my mother passed away a few seconds after I was born (I was in australia).
I was the youngest of my triplet sisters and about a year later, I was adopted by my american family that I have around today.

Everyday birthday that comes along, I try to think of my mom and remember, but I can't obviously.

It's hard.

[tweety&thomas]

Donna,
Your words honor him. I'm sure he's looking down from heaven and smiling at you. I've lost a very special loved one before too, so I know the pain and remembering that go with it. However, your hope to see him again and your memories keep you smiling. So, keep up that 'hope'!!!!!!
Love,
Annette

[Skye]

Donna that's was honestly, beautiful.

I'm sure your father was a great person and I'm sure he's looking down at his Sissy Girl right now with a glowing heart. And your words honor him very much.

Malina

[Donna]

Everyone here has been such an ENCOURAGEMENT to me today. That just goes to prove that this is much more than a forum . . . It's a family . . . and a very loving family, indeed. :o

Thank you so much for showing your love and support during this difficult time in my life.

It feels so good to know that I'm not alone.

Love,
Donna :love:

[pipin_barb]

man,eery one in my famili read tis(they are so busy body gosh)n they all wish u good luck n sorry 4 ur loss:(

ps:including all of my cusins

[Donna]

Thank You pipin_barb . . .

Tell your family and your cousins thank you also, for their sweet thoughts of kindness.

Donna

[Amber]

Donna, I know rather well how it is to lose a loved one. But just be proud that your father was such a kind, loving and wonderful man. He made the world a better place and was unfairly ripped from you. I am sure his spirit is looking down upon you with pride though, for being such a wonderful person!

I'm so sorry for your losses, and hope there are much better times to come.

[birdluv]

l'm so sorry for your loss l send my condolences .
l too know how you feel , l also lost my Dad , 2 years ago .
since the loss of my dad , l always have a fear of lossing my loved ones now :(

[parakeetluverr]

Oh my gosh Donna! That made me cry so bad. I know what it feels like-my Grandma was very close to me. And my friend's dad had killed himself. It's really sad when things like that happen. I will be thinking of you and never let yourself down, know he's always there with you, and so am I. xx<3

Kelsey

[alicia]

im sorry for your loss :(

[Nikoletta]

Dear Donna, he was very special and it's like we knew him. It's so nice you honour him and you remember him with so much love.. And i know exactly what "one of a kind" means.. Because I have also a great dad and I don't like see him growing.. And my good mummy also grows up.. And I don't want to live a pain like this.. But this is life, this is death.. The two sides of the same coin.. I am sure he was really proud about his Sissy girl.. Take care my friend..

[Alai]

donna, that was so touching. It reminded me of how i truly love my family, thanks. im sure your dad was a great person. Its so nice of you to honour him in such way. Stay strong.

<3 ben

[Amy]

Oh Donna! Christ really changed your dad, he's with him now.

Donna, I can't imagine it happening to me. Your dad sounded like a very special person, never to be forgotten. :) Be brave dear! :D

[lethalfire]

Donna I am truly sorry for your pain, I know exactly what you are going through, I lost my dad just this past March to Lymphoma cancer. What a testimony your dad's life story is. God works in mysterious ways, before the passing of my dad, the Lord showed me how he prepared me for this time. I didn't have a great relationship with my dad when I was younger, but after I moved out my Dad turned his life back over to the Lord, and we started growing a bond together and actually became like a Father and daughter should. God showed me how He did that so there were no regrets when he went to be with the Lord, and that I knew he loved me and I loved him. Instead of the not so found memories when I was growing up, He gave me the precious memories of a true Father and Daughter relationship.

I just like you have my good days and bad days and also find comfort in knowing that my Dad is with our Lord and Savior, what better place for him to be. It is my daily prayer that God would open more people's eyes and draw them to Him. Your dad sounded like a great man and I bet his memory and earthly works will continue his memory on aswell as continue to Glorify God. God bless you in this time of healing and I pray that God will give you the peace that passeth understanding.