This is a tribute I wrote for my sweet daddy, who recently passed away.
When I was first asked to write this by my family, I wondered how I was going to do it. Even though I am a writer, I couldn’t seem to find the words to do my daddy justice. So, I prayed about it. Then the Lord placed a memory and an image into my mind and heart.
The memory was of daddy and me practicing softball. That was some of our best father/daughter time. He wasn’t just training me on how to be a better ball player, but he was also teaching me important life lessons.
For one, if you want to be really good at something worthwhile, you put everything you have into it. Number two, you don’t quit because you are uncomfortable or out of your comfort zone. That’s when you work the hardest. And lastly, it’s all about attitude.
He told me when I walked out on the ballfield, I needed to walk out like I meant business and I intended on winning. That last one really stuck with me. Over the years, I have been in a few ball games where somebody didn’t want to keep score. My response would always be, “Then what’s the use of playing?”
As Papaw Jim, he taught my daughter Sara life lessons as well. One time, they were riding their bikes when another biker crashed into her. This sent her to the ground. After Papaw Jim made sure Sara was okay, he helped her brush her off the dirt and grass. Then he encouraged her to get back on her feet. Once she did, he advised her to do this as she went through life.
Obviously, Daddy had wisdom. He demonstrated again this by marrying Gretta and combining our families into one. What a blessing that has been to all of us. It is one that will carry forward for the rest of our lives.
Now, I want to tell you about the image God gave me. It was of a daisy in bloom sitting in a green field. I realized that bloom represented Daddy. A bloom that shared its simple beauty with the world. A bloom that was sometimes not appreciated enough. A bloom that we believed would always be there. Then one day, Jesus plucked the bloom to plant into His Heavenly garden.
Though we weep and grieve today, we have the comfort and hope that we will be reunited with our precious bloom because of our faith in Jesus. So, love and cherish all of your blooms while they are here. Most importantly, make sure you know Jesus so that you too can live in His Heavenly garden forever
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4 (KJV)