January 18, 2021, the family group text went out "hello family, dad was rushed to the hospital and the prognosis does not look good!" We all begin to pray. January 22, 2020, the family group text went out "hello family, it's with a sad heart I must report at 10:30 am Dad has taken his wings to heaven and has passed on to glory!" :(
To everything there is a season so Ecclesiastes 3:2 "A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted." Ecclesiastes 3:20 "All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again." These two verses of scripture are more real to me to day than it has ever been. It's something when it happens to other people, but it's something ELSE when it happens to you.
Yes, my awesome father and dad has gone on to be with the Lord. But the craziest thing is this, I knew in my heart he wouldn't be with us much longer. I went home the weekend before dad went to the hospital to do some cleaning for mom. Mom is 83 and can't quit clean the way she used to. I enjoy cleaning so I do it for them. As I watched my dad walk slowly from his bedroom to the den I was saying to myself; it's not going to be long now. Dad told me that he was tired. When the seniors say they are tired, that means they are tired of suffering and they are ready to go on to heaven.
My mom prepared his breakfast, grits with hot sauce and ketchup, eggs and sausage. He sat at the head of his table like he always does and enjoyed his meal. While eating breakfast, he had a conference call with the church leadership. I listened to my dad as he spoke with the deacons and trustees at his church. Deacon Douglas asked him if he there was something he wanted to say. Of course my dad had something to say, he always does. This is what he said.
"I am sitting here at the head of my table, looking out the window. I'm not sure how many more days I'm gonna have like this, but I thank The good Lord for letting me sit at my table and I don't know how many more calls like this I'll be on. Now, I want you men to learn how to work together and be about our Father's business." That really stuck with me. Again, I knew it wouldn't be long before he would be gone.
As I prepared to go back home, my dad says this to me, "tell your husband I said thank you for letting you come and take care of me and your mom!" I was like okay dad... not really understanding why he would say that as I've come home many times to clean and run errands for them. But this time, there was something different in his voice. I kissed my dad, told him I loved him and he said the same. Two weeks later, he was gone.
My daddy loved his grits with ketchup and hot sauce. LOL. AND so does all the children. We all put hot sauce and ketchup on our grits. I'm not sure why he did it, but if it was good enough for my daddy, then it's good enough for me. That meal is one of the many legacies my dad left with us. All eleven of us!
One thing I know for sure, my dad along with all his ways will be a part of our lives forever. Live like it's your last day, love like you'll never have it again, forgive the way Christ forgives, and like in peace with all men.
Learn to enjoy the simple things in life, much like my dad...have your grits and eggs with some hot sauce and ketchup.
Remember to Smile, Show up and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within,
Be Blessed,
Ms. Lisa D.
