It's been 24 years since I saw you. I think about you all the time. I remember your walk, your cologne, your stories at the dinner table. I remember your pride in me and the certainty that God was going to do something special with my life.
I reach way back in my memories of you and remember tickle wars, the teasing, silly songs and the way you always made us laugh.
I long to hear your voice again.
I will never know why, this side of eternity, that God had you go Home at such a young age, long before even all your grandchildren were born. It seems like you could have done so much good here. You had so much wisdom to share. You could have been there and guided us through things we didn't understand, but you would have, because you had been through them. We all needed you!
Maybe the truth is we would have leaned on you more than God. We had to learn that He is where we go when times were hard, not to our earthly daddy.
When the time is right, I will walk through the door at Home and see Jesus, just like you did. But I think you will be there, too, and then the longing will be over.
~~~
As I wrote this tribute to my dad, with eyes full of tears and a throat tight with holding back emotion, I thought of you. Do you have someone you long to see? Leave a comment and share because our feelings are important and sometimes you just need to express them.
This post is Day 17 of a series entitled 31 Days of Life on the Journey where I share about my journey as a believer, wife, mom and grandmother. I invite you to return each day to find the newest link here. Myquillin at The Nester is the creator of the 31 Day Challenge. I'm linking this post to the category, "Faith and Inspiration." You can also visit Kate's blog, "Heading Home" to read the posts of all the other participants of the 31 day challenge who are writing on her daily prompts for 5 minutes. Today's prompt is "long."
You can read each day's post in order as they are published by clicking on the link here. Or you could subscribe to my blog - I wouldn't want you to miss a thing! Just fill in your email address in the box below the words "Follow by email" second from the top in the upper right hand column.
Hi Jerralea! I am so sorry for your loss...losing a parent at any age is so hard. It sounds like your Dad died at a young age, and that's even harder.
ReplyDeleteI miss my mom too. She died four years ago from cancer. She was diagnosed and then died within two weeks. It was so fast...but I know I'll see her again, just as you said. We will be together in heaven.
Blessings to you this special day, and know your father is so close to you even now,
Ceil
What a beautiful tribute to your Dad. Today I'm thinking of my mother-in-law, whose birthday is today, and how she also missed out on so many grandchildren. But I guess it's not missing out to see the face of Jesus, is it? But it doesn't take away our missing them. Thanks so much for sharing. Visiting from FMF.
ReplyDeleteWhat a tribute to your father, Jerralea. I look forward to seeing my grandparents. My grandma suffered from Alzheimer's from the time I was about ten years old on. Most of my memories of her are of the vacant stare that replaced the once vibrant expressions. I look forward to seeing both of them one day when I get Home.
ReplyDeleteUm, that was supposed to say, "What a BEAUTIFUL tribute to your father...."
ReplyDeleteSorry. :)
Beautiful tribute to your daddy. I long for my good friend Chris who died when we were 42.... About 12 yrs ago, of colon cancer. She left behind her hubby who ended up accepting Christ as a result of her illness and her 5 yr old son. Chris was a believer and first introduced me to my husband. She was also my ,aster teacher when ideas working on my MS Ed psych degree. Oh how I miss her and can't wait to see her in heaven!,
ReplyDeleteThat was such a nice tribute to your dad! I am sorry he didn't get a chance to see any grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteI would say I long to see my mom; dead 8 years come December. But like you, I know I will see her one day and then we will be together for eternity!
betty
What a beautiful post and wonderful photo! I think of my husband also waiting for me in heaven. What a wonderful promise to see our loved ones again!
ReplyDeleteWow, such beautiful words about your Dad. Your beautiful expression of love and cherished memory had me tearing up as I read this.
ReplyDeleteYour grace and strength despite losing him when he was so young is inspiring and a testament of your faith.
God bless you, Jerralea. Hope you have a bless weekend!
~Jazzmin
Loved your post, so very well written, so full of emotion. I also had tears in my eyes, reading it. I think of my Dad everyday (unexpectedly taken, aged 45) and my Gran and Grandad (two of my most beloved people).
ReplyDeleteThat would be my mommy. I lost her just last month very suddenly and I still long to see her face pop up on my caller id or read one of her posts on facebook. It's so hard.
ReplyDelete