One month ago today my Daddy went to be with Jesus.  I’ve been wanting to write them both a letter…

Dear Daddy and Daddy,

You are both in heaven now.

My Father who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy Name. You’ve always been there from the beginning of time, creating this world, knitting us together, watching over us, saving us through the precious blood of Your Son Jesus, guiding us with your Holy Spirit, and covering us with Your wing.  You gave me the best earthly Daddy and planned that now was a good time to take him to be with You. And, of course, I wrestle with Your plans as Jacob wrestled the Angel so long ago.  Did you really need my earthly Daddy right away?  Yet I’m so very thankful he is with You!

You are both in heaven together, Father God and Daddy Jon.  How’s it going up there?  I imagine the Creator of the Universe and the professor are having some good scientific discussions.  Are there more than seven colors in the rainbow?  Are you doing any experiments with quartz crystals and refracted light?  Can you look at the stars through a telescope or are they right beside you? Is Father God explaining how He made all this cool stuff out of tiny particles, or does it not really matter anymore?  Are you enjoying friends and family, Daddy?  I imagine you have no more pain in your hip or knee, and you are so strong, carrying our babies on your shoulders.

I’m so thankful you are both together now.  Thank you, Father God, for giving me time with my Daddy in his last days here.  Of course, I’d still like one more visit, one more chat around the kitchen table, one more hike in the forest, one more story with Grandpa on the sofa, one more chess game with Jacob.  But those last days were special when I asked Daddy if he loved You and he squeezed my hand.  Oh, Jesus, thank You for letting Him be Yours!

Oh, Daddy, I keep thinking you are taking a nap or have run an errand, that soon you will come down the stairs for your 10 O’clock coffee and work on the crossword puzzle.  I want to send you an email about everyone who came to see you and how Mommy held up beautifully, but maybe you already know this.  Karen was with you every day, researching your condition and talking to nurses.  Reid and Scott flew all the way from opposite coasts to be with you, then flew back to their wives, Carmen and Cheryl, who drove with them to your service.  George came for the longest time and took care of Mommy and the home-front as you knew he would, and surprised us all by singing “Swing Low” at your burial.

All your grandkids came for the service, even Bess made it from Russia and Jacob flew in from Cyprus.  And your great-granddaughter Kennedy Grace brought everyone joy with her smiles and running around the sanctuary. Nathan and Jacob shared wonderful memories at your service and Kevin played a moving Pachelbel’s Canon in D and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.  Kevin also collaborated with family members to present a Grandpa slide show.  Kallie, Emily, Joel, Lennie, Kent, Wendy and Jenny Anne and many friends, neighbors and people from your department also braved the weather to cheer up Mommy and remember you. Father God kept us all well and safe through the worst snow and roads and even when it was zero degrees and the snow was falling at the cemetery, He was there with us.

Oh, Jesus, thank You that Daddy was 85 when You took him to heaven, just like Caleb was 85 when he entered the Promised Land. Thank You that Daddy used to play “Them Bones” on the banjo, and now You are breathing new life into his bones.  Thank You for preparing this place for Daddy in heaven and now he is there with You.  And thank You that goodness and mercy followed Daddy all the days of his life, and now he dwells in Your House forever.

I love you both!  I miss you, Daddy!  Father God, please take good care of Daddy until you call the rest of us home and we have that great big family reunion.

Love, Jenny Grace

 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.” Ezekiel 37:5 (NKJV)

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:1-3 (NKJV)

 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)