This is a letter I wrote for my Dad's Memorial.

When asked to write a short version of you Dad, I had to sit and shift through a lot of tears. Our Heavenly Father gives us an earthly Father so we can somehow understand our relationship with Him. He watches over our lives as an earthly Father does, He directs our paths if we'll be open to listen.

I've never cared for the word "punishment" but instead use the word "correction" when we are disobedient. He is our shield and armour for protection. The list goes on and on but the greatest parallel I can think of is His Love and His Forgivness. There are no words to describe His Perfect and unconditional love.

And Dad, this is the love He put within my heart for you. While there were those who said.."walk away and put him out of your life -- I found I loved you even more. There were those who rebuked me and threw many cruel stones but Dad, that's not the love I learned from my "Heavenly Father". And the beautiful part is His Love and Forgivness go beyond describing. I can only understand a fraction of the depth.

Your life here on earth was a very sad one and I'm sure very lonely too. We sometimes lived hundreds of miles away, yet a day hardly went by that you didn't call...as though you were seeking reassurance of at least one person who really loved you. Now those lack of phone calls are leaving a big void in my life.

But this void will be filled because I know you are in a Home that is also too beautiful for words and our Father's love surrounds you forever. You don't have to seek reassurance because now you live in His Love.

No, Dad, my tears are for many reasons. One is the saddness that surrounded your life. And too, I'll miss you very much. But I know if it were possible you would come back and be shinning with His Glory and say "Come and see what I have found.", "rejoice and weep not for I have finally found peace and happiness." You will first and foremost be enveloped in the love of Jesus, but in addition, you'll be reunited with your son and my brother, Wayne, and other friends and loved ones who have made the journey before you. Yes, I'll miss you deeply but I can also rejoice in your death. This is a miracle in itself because your leaving overwhelmed me - now 5 days later I can actually rejoice for you.