Wednesday, October 19, 2011

In Memory of my DAD~ ♥ you

Last week was a sad day that brought many tears and many
memories of a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, uncle
and friend.  My Dad passed away last Wednesday and today
I feel that I need to post this for him and to let people know how
blessed we were to have the days that we had with him and to
let them know that he still lives.  Our Heavenly Father has a plan
for us and he blesses us each day with his tender mercies and love.
Although we may not understand the things that happen in this life
we know that someday we will be together again and be
able to enjoy one of his wonderful bear hugs!


Play this beautiful song Angels Among Us by Alabama as
you continue to go through this post.

On Sunday morning as we were preparing to head to
Montana for Dad's funeral I switch on the T.V. and
this talk was on
“WHAT IS THIS THING THAT MEN CALL DEATH?”

                                           LDS Teachings About the Spirit World
                                                                     by
                                                            Brent L. Top
here are just a few quotes from it that touched me as
I caught the end of his talk.

When messengers are sent to minister to the inhabitants of this earth, they are not
strangers, but from the ranks of our kindred and friends. . . . In like manner, our fathers
and mothers, brothers, sisters and friends who have passed away from this earth, having
been faithful, and worthy to enjoy these rights and privileges, may have a mission given
to them to visit their relatives and friends upon the earth again, bringing from the divine
Presence messages of love, of warning, or reproof and instruction, to those who they had
learned to love in the flesh.

If we could see things as they are, and as we shall see and understand them, this
dark shadow and valley [of death] is so trifling that we shall turn round and look upon it
and think when we have crossed it, why this is the greatest advantage of my whole
existence, for I have passed from a state of sorrow, grief, mourning, woe, misery, pain,
anguish and disappointment into a state of existence, when I can enjoy life to the fullest
extent as far as that can be done without a body. My spirit is set free, I thirst no more, I
want to sleep no more, I hunger no more, I tire no more, I run, I walk, I labor, I go, I
come, I do this, I do that, whatever is required of me, nothing like pain or weariness, I am
full of life, full of vigor, and I enjoy the presence of my heavenly father, by the power of
his Spirit. (JD 17:142)

I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ that I
have been blessed with in this life to help us to
understand and to have something to strive for
to get us through and to lift us up.

This was at the end of his talk
words from our wonderful Prophet
President Hinckley:

What is this thing that men call death,

This quiet passing in the night?
‘Tis not the end, but genesis
Of better worlds and greater light.

O God, touch thou my aching heart,
And calm my troubled, haunting fears.
Let hope and faith, transcendent pure,
Give strength and peace beyond my tears.

There is no death, but only change
With recompense for victory won;
The gift of Him who loved all men,
The Son of God, the Holy One.


These two photos above were taken 6 years ago as I rode
to help chase cows that fall.  The colors were beautiful and
the round up was amazing.
The photo below it the picture I took for my mom the
day that my father passed away.

I just want to thank everyone for their love a support as we
continue on our journey in this life.  Heavenly Father is
mindful of us and he does have a plan.  We must keep the
faith and look for his inspiration.

Here is the funeral program that I made for my father:

outside
inside

This picture is all  his grand kids having one
last water fight with grandpa


This is the photo that was used for his obituary
The obituary was written by my sister, with help from
my aunt and a family friend.

This is the last picture that I took of my
father as he was helping me do a photo shoot
a week and a half before he past!
I love you Dad and until we meet again!
Don't forget to ride for the bigger buckle!


Hold Tight, Knuckles White, See You at the Tree!!


3 comments:

Vernie and Tony said...

Dacia, I am heartbroken that I wasn't there to give my condolences to the family and see Don for the last time (here)... I loved that cousin of mine with all my heart! I have such GREAT memories of the two of us and Murray growing up! He was my HERO!! I loved your tribute and the pictures are absolutely breathtaking!! I can't wait to give him a hug again!! Love you all SO MUCH!

Ben and Linda Lee said...

Your tribute is amazing thanks for sharing. You all are angels and great examples of diligence. I only hope to walk through this life in the footsteps of those that have led the way, just like your Dad. Love You

Joyce Wilson said...

Thank you for creating a beautiful memory of a great guy!