A Reader’s Memories of Her Precious Daddy

Share Now

One of the sweetest blessings I receive from sharing Daily Encouragement with you is when someone shares a joy or sorrow in her life. I recently wrote about listening to the family stories. A reader wrote this reply: “You’re oh so right about listening earnestly to people’s stories. I shared a few things about my dad at his funeral two weeks ago.” I was grateful that she shared this deeply personal message with me. She even attached a copy of her funeral notes to the email. I was so touched by her message about her dad that I asked if I could share some of it with you. When this devoted daughter and kind reader gave me permission to share her daddy’s stories, she said that would pray that they bless you who read it. I pray for that, too.

Humble

He was a humble man who was not opposed to taking advice. He counted himself privileged to have at least four significant men speak into his life. They were his dad, my mom’s dad, and [two] neighbors . . . He had been farming some land . . . that was quite steep. Apparently, C___ had driven by while Daddy was combining on a hard slope. C___ came by the next day and said, “Don’t you love your family?” Daddy was taken aback and C___ pointed out that it was a very risky thing to farm such steep land and that as a husband and father he shouldn’t take such chances with his life. He never farmed that field again.

Respectful

Daddy had a deep admiration and respect for his parents and my mom’s parents. Both sets of parents helped Daddy and Mom get started farming and they babysat us kids. He worked side by side with his dad and our mom’s dad for decades. He used to say that Mammy and Pappy didn’t treat him like a son-in-law. They treated him like a son . . . Daddy and Mom also prioritized family. We spent a lot of time with family and extended family and attended annual family reunions on both sides of the family. Hence, we are familiar with literally dozens of people that we can identify as our cousins.

Thoughtful

There were lilacs growing on the fence row in the sheep meadow. Daddy would pick lilacs for Mom for her birthday. He would also buy her a dozen roses every Valentine’s Day and anniversary. Mom and Daddy would always call and sing to each of us kids and each of the grandkids on our birthdays. He continued to do that after Mom died. Some of the grandkids intentionally let that call go to voicemail so they could have a recording that they could play over and over. When Mom was hospitalized for months a few years ago, Daddy didn’t miss a day. He visited her every single day. This was no small feat because he wasn’t driving. He procured rides from us kids, the grandkids, nieces, and friends so that he could support her through her recovery. He actually wrote down a schedule to keep track of his rides.

Flowers: Roses and Lilacs
by Paul de Longpré
Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art,
Bequest of Agatha Alling Durland, 1963

Loving

Daddy had bought a ’76 Pontiac Trans Am . . . It was a fun car, and he enjoyed it, but he mostly let me drive it. One Thanksgiving I was driving the Trans Am home from college after pulling an all-nighter to write a paper. I fell asleep at the wheel and totaled the car. The next morning Daddy came into my room and sat on the bed. All he said was, “We can get another car, but we can’t get another you.”

Be devoted to one another
in brotherly love;
give preference to one another
in honor . . . 
Romans 12:10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share Now