Happy New Year........Tribute to my Dad

So, I "stole" this picture from my sister's blog....sorry Lois...but I just love it so. It's a picture of my Daddy. I think it's from the 60's. I was born in 1966. This is Dad in his study in our old church where he use to pastor, see him holding his bible. Dad pastored there for 31 years. He was an awesome pastor, everyone LOVED him. He had compassion, and love for everyone. Dad did a great job at pastoring our old church there in NYC. He would remember every one's name, and it just wasn't a church, it was a FAMILY! Our church was run so well, all the holidays were festive, and the church was in order, clean, it was "The House of the Lord". Whenever the church doors were opened, we were all there. Daddy loved his church, and the church people.....it was his life.

Daddy passed away this past May. Most of you know about his accident....really it was a tragedy. I have never experienced a tragedy in my life before, and never really considered Dad's death as one. But when I look back at this man's great life, the way he died, and his sickness, and then that night when he fell down the stairs, with all those bones broken, the suffering, and not being able to do anything for himself, yes it was a great tragedy in my life and my family's life.

You see Daddy was such an independent, strong man. I trusted every word he said. I felt comfortable with all his decisions and would go to Dad with help when I needed to make a decision. He always had the right answer, and sometimes I didn't want to hear it! Over the years, I have had so many arguments with Dad, didn't want to agree with him, but then in the long run, he was always right. I never wanted to agree with him.....why was I like that? I wish I could take back all those arguments now, and just keep my big mouth SHUT!

He was always on the go, eager to do the Lord's work, and was always there for his kids....well we did have great competition with church, and all it's activities, but in the long run, Dad was always there for us! Dad loved his grandchildren. He would always give them extra money whenever he would see them. He gave them his time, and I know they always loved going to Oma and Opa's house for the day. He would call here a lot, and of course when he called, I never had time to talk to him, I made small talk. He would always want to talk to the kids, and sometimes I would say, we're too busy, maybe next time. He wouldn't say anything, I know he was hurt, but I was just too busy for my Dad........now I wish he would call here.....why was I like that?

Then he was diagnosed with diabetes some years back, but that never held Dad back. Dad retired back in 95, and all was well, he was still preaching, and on the go, but slowing down some. Of course his diabetes caught up with him, and he ailed over the years. His eyesight was VERY poor and his whole body just hurt. We think towards the "end" he was even getting the early stages of dementia.

Mom and Dad moved to PA this past year in April. We were all excited for them...to live closer to my sister, she would really take care of them. Their house was smaller and would be easier for them to take care of it....no stairs, except those cellar stairs!!! After only one week living in their new home, Dad fell down those cellar stairs, broke 8 ribs, had a head trauma, and much more. He fell down something like 12 stairs! Dad should have died that night, but the Lord had other plans for him, and me!

Like I have said in earlier posts, those 3 weeks of Daddy's life in the hospital I loved on him like never before! I loved my father but we always seemed to be in some kind of conflict...well I always had some kind of conflict...Daddy would always turn the other cheek with me, and love me anyway. But I loved on Daddy for those 3 weeks of his life. Then when he was transferred to the nursing home, for those 3 days I loved on him again. He was suppose to get better, but he didn't. The Lord took Daddy home on Monday night, May 19th......I was with him, holding his hand. The little girl who hardly ever got along with her Daddy, was with him the night he died.

All I can say is have a blessed and Happy New Year!