Life is good.

My dad was my first piano teacher; he taught me to drive a stick shift (in a Simca); he demonstrated generosity in every way, worked hard, served the church faithfully, loved his wife and family -- and his extended family just as much.  He took us in a station wagon to Florida, Washington D.C., Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, New England and Michigan's U.P., sleeping in tents, trailers and motels.  He never let us know when budgets were tight -- he sent me to Europe while in high school and to college the following year, never mentioning the cost.  He was a great fan of the Detroit Tigers, Bach, pipe organs, new cars and any church music.

My dad passed away February 1st, 10 days shy of his 90th birthday.  I helped him out of bed that morning, sat him in his favorite chair, and the Lord just called him home about an hour later.  Sure, I miss him; but it was his time to go home.  He looked forward to the experience of heaven.  He ran a good race and fought a good fight in this life.  Things had gotten difficult -- loss of eyesight, needing a walker to get around, oxygen depletion, but he always raised his hands in gratitude for his many blessings.

By changing the details,  the sentiments related above speak just as well of my Mom; she's 90 and learning to cope without a husband after 68 years.  Last Christmas we had 41 family members together representing 4 generations.  That is what life is about and God has been very good to this family.  I'll miss Dad for a long time to come, but I'll try to model the things he taught me and maybe pass a bit of him on to my own children, and to theirs as well.

Mom says a final good-bye.