Monday, March 7, 2011

Remembering Dad

Dad went on to be with His Maker yesterday morning. He will be greatly missed but I am glad that he is freed from his sufferings. Near the end, the pain from his cancer was becoming intense. I am glad that I got the chance to spend last Wednesday evening with him. It was his last night at home before going to the hospital and departing this earth. We played a good game of Upwords that evening. Playing table games with family was one of his favorite activities.

Below are a few pictures from recent months that exemplify some of who Dad was.


This picture was from our Rice-Moyer Christmas gathering in January.
Dad knew at that time that his cancer was not curable but he still made
the most of life up to the end. My Dad is the one in the blue shirt.



My Dad was very dedicated to his wife who has been suffering from
Alzheimers for a number of years. He has been a good example of
what true love is and means. Thank you, Dad.



My Dad enjoyed playing table games with his children and
grandchildren all his life. The game of Upwords is being played
here and Dad is using the Scrabble dictionary which got
intense usage during these games.


Dad enjoyed family celebrations. On this occasion
we were celebrating my Mom's birthday this past October.

For those who might be interested, here is a link to Dad's obituary.

13 comments:

  1. Tim, your father sounds like a wonderful man and I love his grin. I'm sure your in grief, but you can also thank God for his life and all in him that was good. I'm touched by the photo of him and your mother--my father is now caring for my mother with that same dreadful disease. Blessings, my friend.

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  2. Dear tim, things may not happen as all kids wish and you lost your dad. He made of you an adult, and now he cannot assume any more his "job". His children will take care of their dear mom all together now.
    Cheers...

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  3. Tim, Susan and I have been talking about our memories of your father. I have been surprised at the number of memories Susan has about him that we have never talked about before. I will remember him as the friendly, if somewhat shy, uncle who always was quick with a smile but slow and thoughtful with an answer. Susan will be able to get up to the funeral tomorrow, but, to my regret, I am not going be able to get away in the middle of the day. Our thoughts and prayers have been with you and your family,

    Lamar

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  4. Thank you for the blog, Tim! Your dad was a wonderful man!

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  5. Tim, I am so sorry to read about your dad.

    My mama died in January and my father-in-law died in February. I know this does not help your hurt. But, I do understand. My dad died almost eleven years ago and I still miss him. I will be lifting you up before our Father in Heaven as you are missing your earthly father.

    Your Blogspot Brother (An Eagle's View),
    Charley

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  6. Ohhhhh, Tim. I only come to your posts on Mondays and clearly was too early a week ago. I had no idea your dad had passed on to his Maker. It has reminded me of when Dad died of cancer, after so much pain. We have so many similar memories (also with a mom having Alzheimer's).

    It was when I read the obituary, however, that I counted all your brothers and sisters. Do you realize that you and I are both #3 of 8 children! But at least in my family we had 4 boys and 4 girls. :)

    Please know you all are remembered prayerfully at this time of mourning.

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  7. I want to thank everyone of you for your thoughts and prayers. They are appreciated.

    sage, you are right. I am grateful that my Dad was a good and god-fearing father and husband.

    cergie, my Dad was always there when I needed him and he did teach me well how to be an adult.

    lamar, I do remember my dad as being slow to speak but when he did speak he spoke with wisdom.

    rudy, I couldn't ask for a better dad than mine. He loved us dearly.

    charley, losing loved ones so close is painful and I do believe you can truly relate. You are in my prayers.

    ginnie, it is amazing how many similar memories we have; not always easy but precious.

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  8. Thank you for sharing.
    Though I didn't know your dad personally,
    I can see thru all the children, what a great example of God and love he gave to you all.

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  9. Tim,
    I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I read your dad's obituary, and it sounds as if he must have passed with great comfort at knowing of the large family that is so much of his legacy.

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  10. Thanks, sue anne. Your comment is greatly appreciated and yes Dad was a great example of God and love.

    Thanks, ted. Your thoughts are appreciated. We were and are a close knit family in many ways.

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  11. What a wonderful tribute to your Dad!

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  12. Your dad sounds so sweet. I'm sure your mother will miss his presence. My dad and mom both died in the late 1980's; mom from
    Alzheimers and 1 1/2 yrs. later dad died from heart attack. I lost my oldest brother in '91 and my sister in between my oldest sis and me just this past March. Also several cousins this year. I'm so looking forward to meeting them in glory.

    I grew up Mennonite, still am a Mennonite--tho' you won't find the word Mennonite in our church conference name anymore. I believe the Menn. religion gave me a stubborn faith, while it chased my brother into gnosticism. Guess 1 out of 5 isn't too bad, but I pray he gets it before he leaves earthly life. I believe in a forgiving God full of grace, mercy, & love.

    God be with you in your loss.

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  13. Thanks, kerri. Dad was and is a wonderful person and he loved us all in very special ways.

    Thanks, blu-i'd-blonde. Dad was and is a very special person. Sounds like you have experienced a lot of loss of loved ones, too. Thanks for sharing a little about your self as well as commenting on my blog. May you continue to experience God's blessings in your life.

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