I wrote this for my Daddy's Celebration Service. This mighty warrior for God stepped into Heaven on June 22, 2013, almost two years ago. He and I were able to celebrate Father's Day one week before he graduated to the Golden Streets. I wanted to post this again in tribute to him.
|
My Daddy and me |
I have had very few Heroes in my life. My dad was the first one. Now, what defines a Hero to me?
- A man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities (yes, I was his lil princess)
- A person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal.
My
dad has been a Hero to many through the years, emulating God the Father
to the Fatherless. People with broken families, or where the father had
abandoned them were drawn to my dad. It was amazing to watch. The Holy
Spirit in him was a magnet to them. Though he was a big man, his heart
was tender, he always listened first and he was always ready to jump in
when needed. And he always did. Of course along with the broken kids,
came the broken parents. He was always trying to keep tires on one
lady’s car and we would
|
Lil Cowboy Jimmy |
anonymously leave food packages at other houses.
Psalm 68:5-6
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
5 God
is in his holy temple. He is a father to those whose fathers have
died. He takes care of women whose husbands have died. 6 God gives lonely people a family. He sets prisoners free, and they go out singing.
Most
don’t know, but growing up in our house was quite musical. Not
professionally, but relationally. Friends would just drop in for a visit
and
refreshments, and a jam session would break out. Then some other
friends would run home and get their guitars and it was a wonderful
evening of laughing, remembering, singing… and enjoying.
How many nights I went to bed with 3 very distinct thoughts:
- I wished that Old Shep the dog had lived
- I
wished that Clementine would have taken swimming lessons; I mean
really, I conquered my fear of the water after taking beginners swimming
lessons for 4 times, she could too!
- And lastly, I hoped that those Ghost Riders in the Sky stayed out of my dreams that night.
Daddy
usually played
Mountain Railway and
Amazing Grace as mom put us to bed
those nights, because we were still so young and couldn’t keep our eyes
open any longer. Then as I drifted off to sleep I could her Uncle Jimmy
Whittach and Daddy singing in the distance… lulling me off to
the Land of Nod.
I was not a very good harmony singer and
that disturbed me. In High School, my dad would record my part onto a
tape player so that I could memorize it. That kicked it in and he taught
me how to hear all the parts with one strum of the chord. He was
amazing that way. And ever patient too. It took quite
|
Where did I get my sense of humor?! |
|
|
a while.
When
we were all finally Born Again and helping to pioneer Freedom Chapel in
Cleveland, I was the
|
Graduating Bible School |
Music Minister and Daddy was Head Deacon and he
was always there to sing a special song with me when the occasion called
for it. He either played his 4 string harmony guitar which I have here
today, or he would play my harmony banjo, and I would play the 6
stringer. The most fun time was the ONE when we included my mother ~
She did great, ~~only improvised, ~~ and actually made it better and
funnier!!!
|
Daddy and his Princess |
I remember times at home where a song would
bust loose on the TV or Stereo and then next thing we knew… the whole
family was up dancing around acting silly. I loved going to weddings to
watch my parents jitterbug together, you could see the cares of the
world drop away as he would spin her around… Or our Christmas Parties
at the house on Stickney… Songs, dancing, food, friends…
Then
for Daddy’s last week and a half, I had the honor of singing and
dancing “
My Lil Buttercup” at the hospital for him. We had to wear
special yellow gowns and blue gloves to protect him, and it just made us
all laugh. And we all needed to laugh.
The only way I
know to finish this up is with the lyrics to a song that I have held
dearly in my heart for years that reminds me of my Daddy… please listen
closely to the words and you will see a glimpse of that amazing man…
|
Daddy's Hands |
I
remember
Daddy's Hands, folded silently in prayer
And reaching out to
hold me, when I had a nightmare
You could read quite a story, in the
calluses and lines
Years of work and worry had left their mark behind
I
remember Daddy's hands, how they held my Mama tight
And patted my back,
for something done right
There are things that I've forgotten, that I
loved about the man
But I'll always remember the love in Daddy's hands
I
remember Daddy's hands, working 'til they bled
Sacrificed unselfishly,
just to keep us all fed
If I could do things over, I'd live my life
again
And never take for granted the love in Daddy's hands
Daddy's
hands were soft and kind when I was cryin'
Daddy's hands, were hard as
steel when I'd done wrong
Daddy's hands, weren't always gentle But I've
come to understand
There was always love in Daddy's hands
|
Till we meet again Daddy~ |
With All My Love Daddy…. I miss you terribly.. Bye for Now,
Please take good care of my lil Hannah until I get there and tackle you both with hugs…
…from Christine, your Lil Princess