Dad, you made sure we had our nightly Bible stories and prayers.
You were the man who always dressed in a business suit and went to work each day -- I loved seeing you all dressed up.
I remember you preparing for the song service on Sunday morning at our dining room table -- picking out songs.
You gave me lessons growing up on how to be a lady, and not be a sassy girl.
In raising our kids, what we were about as a young family was always important to you. You and Mom would travel 12 hours to spend time with us in Abilene. For 4 years you wintered with us. Terry would travel to help you all drive back and then help with our care while you were with us.
Our busy Church life was important to you. You and Mom quickly made friends among the older people of Hillcrest, where Terry was a minister.
Following your example - Terry and I made sure that our kids experienced the Church all over the world.
You faced hard challenges -- a car wreck in your mid-20's that left your arm frozen at a 90-degree angle. Muscular Dystrophy robbed you of energy when you were raising us kids -- but it was always important that we learned to adopt strong values of faith and education. You took us to family Bible lectures at Lipscomb and worked to make certain that we got a Christian education. We weren't wealthy by any means -- but you made sure that we had vacations -- that we visited extended family and that we were growing in God's way. You were always calm and peaceful -- gentle in your ways of dealing with people -- not given to anger.
You taught me to drive and really didn't think I would get my license at 16 1/2 because I loved to sing as I drove. I must have really gotten on your nerves. You took me to the shoe store and let me get my first high heels (much higher than mom would have let me.)
We watched you confined to bed those 11 years on a respirator and a feeding tube-- you never questioned "Why me? You missed so many family meals.
You took it all with faith and with a deep resolve to trust God. I learned from you -- Some of those lessons are speaking loudly to me in this season of my life.
You modeled a life of strong faith -- I love you so Dad and will see you in Heaven. We will sit down on those golden steps for a long talk-- like we did when I was growing up and we would sit in our entry hall and you would give me your wise counsel.
