As I mentioned in my last post, my Daddy passed away at the beginning of the week after a 17 year battle with Polycystic Kidney Disease. He is going to be so greatly missed. The amount of flowers, cards, prayers, condolences, and stories I am just now hearing about my dad have been incredibly abundant this week. My Dad has certainly left a legacy of love as my family witnessed at the 2 viewings, funeral service, and graveside service for my Dad. Hundreds of people have offered their condolences and have surrounded us with their love this week. It has been overwhelming to say the least. We always knew our Dad was "the best" but this week has certainly affirmed it in our hearts. We miss him terribly, and some days have been incredibly tough, but we rejoice in the promise that we will see him again.

My dad was not a self pitier. He was not someone who ever wanted us to cry over his death. In fact, I can remember him telling us specifically that when he heads to heaven he wants us to rejoice and be glad, for "this is the day that the Lord has made." Be happy for him to be in glory and in no more pain or suffering. And while I will have many moments of longing that he were here with us, I am going to honor my Dad's wishes. Posts on my site will resume this week. Thank you for being patient and understanding as I continue to help my mama begin a new chapter and heal also. But continuing in the things that I love is necessary for healing too. I'm looking forward to sharing more works 4 me posts this week (I've tried a few new things the past few days that I am excited to share) and deals and tips. Thank you again! My readers are the best!

~Melanie

If you were not privileged enough to have known my Dad I did want to take a bit of real estate in this post to share with you the words my sister and I shared at my Dad's funeral service....

Faithful.

If we had to pick some words to describe our Dad the first word would be faithful. He was faithful to his wife, his family, his church, and throughout everything he endured, he was faithful to God. He taught us about faith by example. How to find faith. How to use it. How to live it.

Dedicated.

He taught us how to be dedicated. How to give your word to someone and keep it. What it means to follow something through to completion, even when it is not easy. He taught us the value of hard work and sweat. He taught us not to give up even when things didn’t turn out the way we thought. And to fight when something was worth fighting for. He showed us that life’s challenges could be a blessing and taught us what it means to be grateful for simple joys.

Family.

He taught us the value of family. He showed us the importance of family dinners and vacations. He taught us how to be silly and get dirty. How to catch a fish and shoot a gun. How to laugh and pick on each other and how to pray. He never had any patience, but that didn’t matter because he always had time for us.

Strength.

He taught us the meaning of the word. He was the strongest person we knew. Spiritually, emotionally, and physically. He endured more than most could handle only by the grace of God. He taught us that we didn’t have to carry burdens by ourselves but that we could lean on God. He taught us that it is okay to cry. And he taught us the true meaning of Psalm 46:1. “God is an ever present strength. A refuge in times of trouble” and he lived that verse every day.

Finally, Loving.

Our Dad taught us that love could be all kinds of things. He disciplined us in love. He hugged us and kissed us. He and mom showed us what a marriage was and what that union meant. He instructed us on how to love and care for others when they needed help or were hurting. He taught us how to go to church and love God and how God loves us unconditionally. Dad told us that he loved us and we told him. We had the privilege of being with him when he took his last breath. We wanted him to know that he was surrounded by our love and he was wrapped in God’s love as he was ushered from this life to the next. And now, we can feel his love at this moment as he watches over us from his new home in Heaven. He is home.

We Love You Dad!