Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Free

November 14, 1931 - June 29, 2009
"The one who sat on the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water. The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my son.' "
-Book of Revelation

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glint on the snow.
I am the sunlight on the ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in morning hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.

-Author Unknown

52 comments:

Mary Beth said...

I am so sorry! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!

Emily said...

I'm so sorry! Praying for strength for you at this time. Even though you know he's rejoicing in Heaven with our Savior, it's hard for us who are no longer with him.

Karen Deborah said...

praying for your comfort.

Rosaria Williams said...

You're going through a terrible time, when no words can bring succor. Know that our thoughts are with you.

Allison said...

So sorry for your loss! Blessings and peace to your family!

Mom24 said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you can find some peace and comfort with the knowledge that he truly is in a better place.

Laura said...

HUGS and PRAYERS. I am so sorry for your loss.

amanda said...

I am so sorry. You are living my worst nightmare. I am praying for you and your family...

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry Kat. Wishing your family peace and offering prayers.

Brittany said...

Praying for you, girl!

sitting on the mood swing at the playground said...

I'm so sorry. Prayers are being sent to you.

OHmommy said...

I am so sorry for your loss Kat. Sending prayers your way.

xo
Pauline

Mel said...

Kat my girl...sending your entire family love, hugs and prayers.

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

Sending love and prayers your way. I'm glad you are able to take comfort in knowing that he is now in loving arms.

wright said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you. That was a lovely tribute to your father.

Ms. Sarah said...

You are in my thoughts and prayers. i was there a year ago.the pome you have up about standing at the grave I read at his graveside service. OHMOMMY posted about your story. Hugs and prayers.

Wendy said...

So sorry for your loss... I know you are glad he is in a better place. Prayers going out for you and your family...

Robyn said...

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Tammy said...

Sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.

Debbie in CA : ) said...

I offer prayers of comfort and peace for you during this difficult time . . .

It seems like so little to offer at such a great loss -- yet it is all there is left on this side of the pearly gates.

I encourage you to keep telling those stories of your father to your children and he will be a special part of their lives. My children know all about the wonderful relatives who are attending the feast in Heaven, waiting to welcome them in some day down the road as they did their broher.

Beautiful poem by "Anon." It was shared with me when my son passed over to Glory. I still wept, (and weep,) but never do I see a butterfly in flight that I do not think of the miracle of joining Jesus in perfection of Glory.

Your Father has joined the eternal celebration along with so many others we have loved and bid farewell to. He will wait patiently for all the rest of us to join him.

May God keep you, my sweet, sweet friend.

XO ~~ Debbie

Chrissy said...

I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your mom and family.

Riahli said...

Words escape me but your family is in our thoughts and prayers.

Unknown said...

Oh Kat, I'm sending up prayers now for you and and all of your family. I wish you all peace at this time...

Tonya said...

You are so right about him being free. I know that really doesn't make the hurt go away. I'm praying for you and your family.

Random Musings said...

Beautiful...

I am so sorry for your loss.

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

Sending you all the love, peace, and prayers I possibly can!! xoxo

Rebecca Ramsey said...

I'm so sorry! I'll be praying for you and your family.

Becky

Stephanie said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family...xoxo

imbeingheldhostage said...

I am so sorry, Kat. My prayers are with you, your mom--everyone. xoxo

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry, but glad for his faith and yours in all of this sorrow and pain.

Unknown said...

Oh sweetie...my heart aches for you and your family. Sending you love, hugs, and prayers.

dawn klinge said...

I'm very sorry for your loss Kat. I'm keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Those are beautiful words you shared.

Jeni said...

My condolences to you and your family. I know this wasn't an unexpected thing, but no matter how well we brace ourselves, we are still never ready for the impact when it does come. May the words of the second piece you posted there -"Do not weep" bring you solace and comfort along with the Peace that comes from a strong faith.

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

Kat, you have my love. I pray he went peacefully and that you and your family can FIND peace soon.

Love you. Take care..

Unknown said...

sorry for your loss!

Kelly said...

My thoughts are with you and your family. I'm so sorry...

Karen MEG said...

Oh, Kat, I'm so sorry for your loss, but this was a lovely tribute, and he IS free now.

Hope he meets up with my Dad up there, I'm sure they'd get along just great.

Hugs and prayers to you and your family.

Indy said...

So Sorry Kat.

Kristen said...

Oh Kat I am so sorry. There are no words.

Sending many many hugs your way.

xoxo,
Kristen

Roxy Wishum said...

Kat, although I am an old guy in a far-away state that you have never met, and are not likely to in this life, you have touched me with your writing. The first post I read on your blog was about the emotions of your dad going to the nursing home. I have come back many times since. Not only your writing style and communication skills, but mostly your love and energy are revealed in your blog. And though I am a stranger, something inside me swells with pride as if we were family. I catch just a glimpse of how proud your father must have been of you and the woman you have become.

ewe are here said...

My thoughts are with you and yours.

painted maypole said...

i just finished a study on Revelation, and those words about the rewards awaiting the victor are wonderful. It is so comforting to know that we know how the story ends. Even still, I am sure you are missing him terribly. Sending you prayers...

The Magic Onions said...

I'm so sorry, Kat. My thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time. I remember so clearly the first post of yours I read, it was on the Golden annaversery of your parents... they were so lucky to have such love. Blessings to you.

Shauna said...

My prayers are with you!

Jessa said...

My thoughts are with you. :( I'm so very sorry for your loss.

krissy said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. The pain and grief can seem unbearable at times but he is now sitting in Heaven....free from restraints. Prayers are being said for you sweetie.

Hilary said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, Kat. My thoughts are with you and yours.

Maggie's Mind said...

I'm just getting caught up. My heart and my thoughts are with you and your family. I am glad that you are able to take some comfort knowing that your dad is free. It's also OK/normal if sometimes it still hurts a lot in spite of that. If you need anything, I'm here.

Siobhan said...

When I came to catch up and saw yesterday's post, I said "oh no!". My heart ached for you. When I read this one, I understood exactly. What a beautiful tribute to a man you so clearly love. May the cherished memories you have of your Dad bhoy you up in the coming weeks. He will be with you whenever you need him. Prayers to you, your family, and especially your mom.

Molly's Mom said...

Oh, Kat. I am crying for you. If you ever need to write/talk, I'm here...and I know what you're going through...

Beck said...

Oh, Kat. I am so very, very sorry.

Rachel said...

Sweet friend.

I am so late in my sympathies, so late in catching up and finding out.
You have my heart and my prayers, my thoughts and my virtual hugs.

I am so sorry.

Strength, peace, love, good memories and eventual laughter.. from my heart to your family.

Words To Live By

Be grateful for each new day.
A new day that you have never lived before.
Twenty-four new, fresh, unexplored hours to use usefully and profitably.
We can squander, neglect, or use them.
Life will be richer or poorer by the way we use today.
Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could;
some blunders and absurdities crept in;
forget them as soon as you can.
Tomorrow is a new day.
You shall begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be
encumbered with your old nonsense.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson