Title:	In Loving Memory...
Topics:	christ, death, faith, family, father, god, life, love, memories
Date:	2008-09-06 @ 16:30
Security:	public
Location:	...home..?
Music:	Hold - Superchick
Mood:	melancholy

       In loving memory of a man who loves God and his family...My dad. August 22, 1935 - September 4, 2008.

      "...and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:6-7).

Yeah...In loving memory of a man who loved so much. In memory of a man who did everything to the best of his knowledge. In loving memory of a man who remained as humble as possible. In loving memory of my dad.

September 4, 2008 he passed away at 10:50 in the morning with all seven of his kids surroudning him. He passed quickly too. Doctors said that sometimes it could take as long as a few hours, but he passed in a matter of minutes. It was hard just being there knowing I had to let go. Knowing that I couldn't do anything anymore, and knowing that I had to give him back to God. As I watched his suffering leave little by little a part of me wanted to crawl up beside him and leave with him. But I knew I couldn't. God still has a plan for me.

Few hours later I was at youth group, how funny too. You think I'd be tottaly unpresentable, and that I'd seek comfort in family or being alone, but no, that's not how it works. I knew my dad was in a better place and that he's smiling down on me and probably dancing and running around just like he wanted to for so long.

Sure I'm sad, and yes every few hours or so I cry, and there isn't a moment where I just wish I was a kid again, and we were watching Lion King and eating popcorn together. I'd give anything for those years again, but I know that's not going to happen, so I'm going to be content with the memories I have of him.

Since he went to Heaven people have been telling me "oh I'm so sorry", and everytime someone says sorry I get agitated. Don't be sorry. Rejoice, be happy. He's in a better place and he's pain free. There's no reason to be sorry for that. Sure it hurts now but in time it's going to heal and before we know it we'll see him again and we'll be together again before God. That's how life works. And that's what I keep telling myself.

The funeral for my Papa will be on Wednesday September 10 and 10 am. We (my sibling and I) got him a stainless steel blue casket and a spot in the military section. He's going to be laid to rest at the place he's always wanted to be. There's going to be that military honor thing...(I forgot what it's called, but it's the thing were Marines shoot the guns in his honor and hand off the flag..). And after that we get to eat, one of my dad's favrote things to do from one of his favorite resturants. =)

I know he's happier now...and I know he's watching me, and when I get to Heaven he's probably going to chastise me for being sad. He didn't like it when I was sad, haha...but he left with me something very important that he told me over and over...(yes I'm aware of a grammar mistake in the next quote but that's my papa for you!)..."If one day I don't wake uo, don't be ascared...just remember you still have your family".

Yeah...

In loving memory of
A Marine
A Dad
A "Papa"
A Grandpa
A "Papa grande"
A Great-grandfather...
and most importantly..
A man or God.

Lord I pary that my family will be given peace. That our greiving will not last forever, but his goodness will be an example to us all. I pray that we will never forget him and that his memories will continue in our hearts. I pray that you remind the family that You're protecting us and that he's watching us too...Smiling down on us.