What we love we grow to resemble.”   ~ St. Bernard

A few days ago, God met his newest angel, as our father passed away unexpectedly.  The pain is still fresh.  The emptiness at a level I’ve never experienced.  Sleep is non-existent and breathing … normally an intuitive act …  now seems to take a conscious effort.

A friend told me that not being able to sleep says something important about experiencing feelings … and feeling deeply those emotions is part of the healing process.  So I’m not struggling to sleep … but instead, I’m allowing my heart and mind to sift through memories and images and I’m clutching tightly to my dad’s beautiful smile and gracious spirit that touched so many lives.

I truly believe that God knew my dad was going to spend his life caring for others, so He blessed him with the most generous heart and an abundance of love to share.  And that he did.  We have been overwhelmed by the number of people who have called and written to share stories of how their life was impacted by our father.  My dad believed that each day was an opportunity to take what he had been given, and use it to make a difference in someone else’s life.  And that he did.  He shared a smile.  Lent a hand … and an ear.  He lived gratefully and graciously.

The next time you look up in the sky and see an extra sparkle in the stars … that is the twinkle in my dad’s eye as he watches over us (I’ve seen it each night) … making sure we continue to care for one another and be stewards of good will.  That is his legacy … and ours to carry on.

I love you dad.

Linnie