When I was a wee little girl I sat on my Daddy’s shoulders as he ran and my mother screamed. He had been a competitive sprinter and he didn’t hold back. I thought sitting up there was the greatest feeling in the world.
Today I believe he knows freedom from an old man’s body and the chains of dementia and is again running as free as the wind.
His health was declining. He was becoming more child-like and he spent a lot of his time staring out the window, longing to see Jesus face to face and be reunited with Leah, the love of his life. But he told me he was afraid of pain and the process of transitioning beyond this physical place. Yesterday morning I was listening to a new recording by Josh Groban of the song “Bring Him Home” and turned it into a prayer that God would take my Daddy home, without pain, in his sleep.
My heavenly Father heard and answered, just the way he did when I prayed for Him to take Mom home. In the afternoon I got a call that when my sister-in-law went to check on him at noon she found he had passed away in his sleep. He had a recording of “How Great Thou Art” made at an anniversary party for him and Mom playing on repeat in the background.
God is good, full of mercy and very, very kind. Precious in His eyes is the death of one of His own.
I will miss him, and the conversations that never happened, but in the light of eternity, it will only be a short time before I see him again.
My Dad was a writer and a story-teller. A month ago I snapped photos of him telling one of his many tales of a Saskatchewan boyhood.
Many people will remember him for his writing and story-telling in schools and theaters and old folks homes.
I will remember being carried on his shoulders, sitting higher and moving faster than anybody else in the crowd because my Daddy was the fastest, handsomest, greatest Daddy in the world.
Charis: Subject to Change 
Thank you Lord for Your amazing grace. Pour Your peace to Charis and the family as they celebrate dad’s homecoming and process the earthly grief that comes.
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Thank you, Judi.
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Bless you and all who loved your dad.
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Thank you, Janelle.
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A heaven hug for you, dear sister in the Lord.
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Thank you, Allan.
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Oh how good He is! What a beautiful testimony. There is such power, I believe, in surrendering our loved ones to His timing. It hurts to let them go, but so necessary somehow, in the Spirit. Thank you for sharing and I’m truly saddened by your loss. May God bless you at this precious time with His love and comfort. xx
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Thank you, sweet friend.
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What a beautiful homage! Praying for God’s grace, peace, and comfort to be with you all during your time of grief and loss.
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Thank you, Paul.
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Sweet condolences, Charis. I can picture your Daddy and Jesus racing each other, having the time of their eternal lives. Peace and serenity to your heart until the grand reunion.
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Thank you, Nancy. That’s a lovely picture.
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I’m so glad that God answered your prayer! May He wrap His comforting arms around you.
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Thank you, Lois.
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Tears for you today…..of both joy and sadness. May His sweet peace rest upon you and your family as you release your Dad into His loving arms.
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Thank you, Cheryl.
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I am oh so very thankful that our sadness is paired with an eternal promise. Love and hugs to you, my friend.
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Thank you, Heather.
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Charis, may Jesus carry you on his shoulders during this time of transition. Hugs and prayers to you and your family.
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Thank you, Hazel.
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