Fly to heaven

At 2:35am on Tuesday Sept. 22, the first day of Autumn, my step-father peacefully flew to heaven to spend his first day with our Lord Savior God. My mother and I were at this side and watched him draw his last breath in this world. He was an amazing man.

Last week, I spent lots of time talking with him and he even allowed me to video tape some stories. I plan to speak about those stories at his memorial service. I am a horrible public speaker, but I am prepared. It will be a wonderful release and also a feeling of honor. Here's an excerpt.

By this time, Tom’s voice was starting to get a little hoarse, but he insisted he tell me one more story…He sat up on the couch and moved a little closer to the camera and he told me how he fell in love with my Mom and how he had promised her that he would never ever make her regret marrying him. He used the word mystical when he described their relationship. They were loving towards each other all the time! No bickering, no harsh words were ever spoken between them. Their marriage is a testimony to me. It makes me want to love my husband better.

Tom’s had more than his share of heart break and trials. Even to the end of his life being stricken with this monstrous disease. It doesn’t seem fair. Any of us might wonder how did he endure all of that? We might ask Why Me? But he did not. Tom knew, without a doubt, that God was in control and had a special purpose beyond our comprehension. He told me he was not afraid to die. He told me that he knew he would soon touch the hem of Jesus our savior. So, it was not Tom that endured those hardships, but it was God through Tom. Tom never stopped giving God the glory. That is Tom’s greatest legacy to us.