One Year Ago Today...

One year ago today, I started my day with a prayer that God's will would be done in my Dad's life, and that His incredible peace would cover Dad and all of us as Dad's ventilator was being removed at 9:00 a.m. and we knew that he would probably not last long. There was an overwhelming sense of peace in that ICU room. Dad was ready to meet Jesus face to face, and he was not afraid. God's holy presence was palpable in that room. Every one of us could FEEL Him there with us. I have never in my life experienced God's presence like I did that day.

In his last hours on earth, Dad was surrounded by his family and friends, and at 11:26 a.m., he peacefully took his last breath. It was hard to let him go, but I know that Dad did not travel that journey alone because God was with him. It was almost like we surrounded his bedside and handed him off to Jesus! It was a very sad day, but yet, it was the most glorious day. My Dad went from lying broken in a hospital bed to walking the streets of gold with Jesus, whole and free of struggles!

Scott and I are so incredibly lucky to have had a father who loved us unconditionally, and left us with so many wonderful memories. Dad instilled in us a love for travel and adventure, a love for music, a love for people, and a love for our awesome, unfailing, God.

In the past year, our family has celebrated every holiday and occasion with an ache in our hearts because Dad isn't here, but with peace and joy because we know Dad is in heaven, and we will be there with him one day. As long as we live on this earth, his legacy lives on, as we honor his memory by going on adventures, playing music, loving people and loving God. I think Dad would be proud!