My Dad was quite a character and I am sure almost everyone present could have told a story about Dad, in fact we were quite encouraged to hear many stories during the visitation. We actually thought about letting people come up and tell stories, but we quickly realized it would have taken several weeks.
I’ve got to tell you we will really miss our Dad and there is so much we could say about him, but if I might I would like to share something about Dad from a unique perspective, from the perspective of his Children.
To do that I am going to have to confess just a bit and I am quite sure that you will all find this hard to believe, but as I was growing up I was a bit of trouble. In fact, on several occasions I would find myself in trouble. I would know I was in trouble, but there was also something else that Dad made sure we knew. Something that we knew with all our heart and that was that we could always count on him to be there, to help, to catch us when we fell, and that he loved us – no matter what.
It reminds me of a short passage from the book of Luke; the parable of the prodigal son. It is a story of a son that find himself in great trouble, who lived a little recklessly, a desperate son, but that is not the point of the story. The point of the story is the Father’s reaction.
Let’s pick up the story where the son that is desperate and in trouble is turning to his father...let’s see the father’s reaction.
20 So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.
24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
Did you see how as soon as the father saw his son, knowing his son was in trouble – he ran to his son filled with compassion and love. That was the example we had with our Dad, but even more that is the example we all have with our Father in Heaven.
I am a blessed man – I have a great family, good friends, a great Mom and Dad, I have a wonderful wife
and two beautiful daughters, I have a son-in-law proudly serving in the United States Marine Corp, I
have a beautiful niece and fantastic nephew; I could not have picked a better brother in law and there is
one more thing I have and that is an amazing sister. And Lisa was with Dad as he passed away – she
described it to me as very peaceful and hopeful and at the end there were these expressions of going
home.
And that is where we are confident Dad is today...finally home!
While all this was going on Lisa also found an article written by Henri Nouwen, a catholic priest and great spiritual writer. It is an article about dying, it is an article about faith, and most importantly it is an article about trust – It is an article built on Nouwen’s relationship with a circus trapeze troupe and we would like to share it.
One day, I was sitting with Rodleigh, the leader of the troupe, in his caravan, talking about flying. He said, "As a flyer, I must have complete trust in my catcher, the public might think that I am the greatest star of the trapeze, but the real star is Joe, my catcher. He has to be there for me with split-second precision and grab me out of the air as I come to him in the long jump."
"How does it work?" I asked.
"The secret," Rodleigh said, "is that the flyer does nothing and the catcher does everything: when I fly to Joe, I have simply to stretch out my arms and hands and wait for him to catch me and pull me safely over the apron behind the catchbar."
"You do nothing!" I said, surprised.
"Nothing," Rodleigh repeated. "A flyer must fly, and a catcher must catch, and the flyer must trust, with outstretched arms, that his catcher will be there for him."
When Rodleigh said this with so much conviction, the words of Jesus flashed through my mind: "Father into your hands I commend my Spirit." Dying is trusting in the catcher. To care for the dying is to say, "Don't be afraid. Remember that you are the beloved child of God. He will be there when you make your long jump. Don't try to grab him; he will grab you. Just stretch out your arms and hands and trust, trust, trust."
Just as we trusted that no matter what; our Dad was there to catch us, we also trust that we have a Good, Good Father in Heaven that was there to Catch Dad and will be there to catch each of us. Trust, Trust, Trust...
We will miss you Dad!
Grace and Peace!
And that is where we are confident Dad is today...finally home!
While all this was going on Lisa also found an article written by Henri Nouwen, a catholic priest and great spiritual writer. It is an article about dying, it is an article about faith, and most importantly it is an article about trust – It is an article built on Nouwen’s relationship with a circus trapeze troupe and we would like to share it.
One day, I was sitting with Rodleigh, the leader of the troupe, in his caravan, talking about flying. He said, "As a flyer, I must have complete trust in my catcher, the public might think that I am the greatest star of the trapeze, but the real star is Joe, my catcher. He has to be there for me with split-second precision and grab me out of the air as I come to him in the long jump."
"How does it work?" I asked.
"The secret," Rodleigh said, "is that the flyer does nothing and the catcher does everything: when I fly to Joe, I have simply to stretch out my arms and hands and wait for him to catch me and pull me safely over the apron behind the catchbar."
"You do nothing!" I said, surprised.
"Nothing," Rodleigh repeated. "A flyer must fly, and a catcher must catch, and the flyer must trust, with outstretched arms, that his catcher will be there for him."
When Rodleigh said this with so much conviction, the words of Jesus flashed through my mind: "Father into your hands I commend my Spirit." Dying is trusting in the catcher. To care for the dying is to say, "Don't be afraid. Remember that you are the beloved child of God. He will be there when you make your long jump. Don't try to grab him; he will grab you. Just stretch out your arms and hands and trust, trust, trust."
Just as we trusted that no matter what; our Dad was there to catch us, we also trust that we have a Good, Good Father in Heaven that was there to Catch Dad and will be there to catch each of us. Trust, Trust, Trust...
We will miss you Dad!
Grace and Peace!
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