A Tribute to a Wonderful Father

Now, knowing the background of my hubs, you would think this tribute is about my Father in Heaven who Gave me Life. However, this time my thoughts turn to a tribute for my earthly father who gave me life. 2 days ago, through a distant cousin, I finally got the news I knew to be true. My father had passed on in November 2011 and now is with my mother.

For about 6 months, I have had thoughts of my father. Last fall, I just kept hearing, “I don’t want to live through another holiday season.” Then, in November the thoughts ceased. There was peace until about a month ago when I began seeing images of my father’s face and hearing him speak. So, I started inquiring of people about the status of my father. My family has been estranged from me for about 12 years because of my Christian beliefs.

When my mother passed on, I was bombarded with grief I had never experienced before. It was a Spiritual experience for sure. I was at a Messianic oneg and got up during the meal, went to the rabbi and said, “I’m going to have to leave. I have to go to the library and get my e-mail.” Well, this didn’t set well with the congregation. It was pretty rude. But, I had to go. When I got to the library, there was an e-mail from my daughter telling me that my mother had passed. The Voice in my head said, “You are going to need backup or you’re not going to get through this.” I walked through the library grabbing books off the shelves. They contained prayers. Some were Jewish reference books.

I found the Mourner’s Kaddish in one of the books. This prayer is very old. With God’s help, I rewrote the prayer for a Christian, including Yeshua in the Words. I have written about this Prayer before on the hubs so I will move on. When I heard about my father’s passing, I just knew that I needed to read the Kaddish. This time was different though. Grabbing the old copy that I had made for my mother, I sat down to start the vigil. Instead of having to recite that Prayer massive times, I just had to touch it. Just the touch of the Words and Peace began to flow over me. There was Love between my father and me. And it was that Love that flowed from the Words that day.

It has been about 12 years since I have seen my father. His memory will be with me until I walk from this life to the next to go Home. He will always be alive for me. Here are some reasons why the memory of my father is so dear to me…

When I was a child, he would sit with me and talk with me like no one else would do. When I would have dreams that scared me, he would comfort me and tell me they were just dreams. He did not know that they actually were telling the future for our family and this country. When I would try to accomplish something, like becoming a minuet dancer in 5^th grade, he would encourage me and support me. I didn’t get to be one of the minuet dancers. Most things I tried out for, I was not one of the chosen. I guess you can’t be everything in this life. As a child, I couldn’t see that God had bigger and better things for me. My father sat on the stairs in the foyer with me the day I found out I was not chosen for the Minuet. I can still see him sitting there with me. That same year, the entire class worked on memorizing the states in this country. When you were able to recite every state and its capital, you got a map of the United States to color. I was the only child in that class who did not get the map. It was devastating. My father didn't care if I failed at getting the map. Memorization was something I was always poor at. The Reason for that is now clear. If I was able to memorize, I wouldn’t be able to spontaneously write Biblically coded messages like I do. There were the times Dad danced us girls around the kitchen, just like Frank Sinatra or Fred Astaire. The music, he would play on the record player in the kitchen credenza he had made, from classical to Big Band era and beyond will continue to remind me of him forever. Up until I left home after my marriage to my husband, my father was always there for me. He didn’t have to understand to Love me. He gave me education, ethics, honor and hope. He gave me class, culture and unconditional Love.

God has a Plan for us. We all have our Unique Destiny. Mine is very hard for people to comprehend and understand because they do not experience what I do. My father never did realize the extent of my Gifts. He never did understand why God took me away from my family. The Dreams were not just the nightmares of a small child. The Dreams were not just the active imagination of a teenager. And the Dreams are not just the delusions of an adult. My father missed me when I couldn’t be there as he passed over. He continued to include me in the family. His tears were a part of his Healing.

I thank my father for my Blessings. He ensured that my siblings and I were raised in the Christian church and that we led very protected lives. He instilled in us the way of life that Yeshua wanted us to live. When my brother and I were born, my father dedicated us back to the God of Heaven. God took that dedication very seriously and Blessed both my brother and I with wonderful Spiritual Gifts.

My father was a well-respected man. It is documented by people who remembered him in tributes and other places. But his passing is not a loss as some have written. It is his Gain. He lived a good and righteous life. He meant his obstacles head on and overcame them the best he could. I have no memory of my father every hurting another person, ever. He lived a life of kindness and consideration, professionalism and maturity, faithfulness and honor.

Just as with my mother, after touching the Kaddish I had a Vision of my father moving into Paradise where my mother waits. Now they will wait together until it is time for the rest of us to come Home. Love Always and God Bless.