This picture was taken at the Preston Temple in England, Aug 2007.This weekend has been really rough for me. I am finding it a little difficult without Dad at the moment. How I would just love to see him, to hear him, and to chat with him just now. I know this is impossible so I should not dwell on it too much but when you have had someone in your life for so long and then just taken away, it really is hard to deal with.
Taking a look at the flowers on the picture reminds me how each year these flowers bloom. I am then reminded that even though it won't be in a year that I see Dad again, one day I will. We as a family are struggling with our loss but we all have the same perfect knowledge of a life after this one.
I think of my Mom who has known Dad for 50 years and has spent almost every day of those past 50 years with him. I think of my siblings, who like me have known a good Dad, one who had time for us, no matter what we asked. I think of my own children and those of my siblings who knew him and loved his presence. How could this not be a loss in our lives?
I try to think on something Dad told me not so long ago "If you could get a glimpse of where I am going, what I will be doing and how happy I will be, you would never want me to come back." This gives me great hope and brings peace to my heart. Actually I am going to make a framed art out of that saying with a picture of Dad on it.
John Sims was truly a man who will be missed for the rest of mortality.
"We love and miss you Dad"
3 comments:
Hey Val, and Maxine, my thoughts and prayers are with you both. I've loved reading the posts and though I couldn't be at the funeral, it was sure nice to read all the things that were said about Brother Sims. Many of us echoed those sentiments for sure.
love, Dana (Waters) Puddington
Maxine,
Please know that you are in my prayers. I saw the item below, and it reminded me of you.
" The Faith of Mary
The father, a well digger, strong was he,
And as loving and kind as a father could be.
And Mary his daughter, five years old,
Was very much dearer than millions of gold.
To Mary her father was big, grand and nice,
So each had a treasure, beyond any price.
One day to the well, little Mary was sent
To take daddy’s lunch, how gladly she went.
But when she looked down, not a thing could be seen.
The well, like a pocket, was dark as could be.
The father saw Mary and heard her voice, too,
But made not a sound, just to see what she’d do.
She dropped to her knees, the dear little soul,
And called down, “Oh, Daddy, are you down this hole?”
“Why yes Mary darling, I’m here at your feet,
Just drop my lunch for I’m ready to eat.
Just let it go easy, I’ll catch it alright.
“She did and she saw it fall out of sight.
“Why Mary,” said father, “There’s enough here for two,
Now this is the thing I would like you to do.
You jump down here to me and we’ll eat it together,
Down here in the cool and away from the weather.”
“Oh, daddy, I’m afraid, I can’t see you at all,
Be sure now you catch me and don’t let me fall.”
Then just for a moment she wavered in doubt,
Then closing her dear little eyes she jumped out.
In the darkness, yes, that was the test,
She trusted in faith in her father’s request.
And both were so happy he kissed her and smiled
Because of the sweet trusting faith of his child.
“Oh, sweet little Mary, you put me to shame,
How often my Father has called me the same,
But because it was dark I turned back in doubt.
Refusing the call, though his arms were stretched out.”
One day, Maxine, you will be valled to take that leap into the darkness. You will have a dad there that will be there to catch you again.
With love,
Alan.
The poem "The Faith of Mary" quoted by Alan is not complete. It is an Internet version floating around. The original is much better. The actual name of the poem is "The Faith of Little Mary" written by Joseph H. Dean and published in the July 1922 issue of the Improvement Era. A WORD document containing a typed transcript of the complete poem can be downloaded at the following link:
https://acrobat.com/#d=aT-4OSl6HuvXM*wl7AENrA
Additionally, a pdf document copy of the original publication can be downloaded at this link:
https://acrobat.com/#d=-2cxbLt*drAALRg5X0fBYA
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