Cold Oatmeal and Purple Cows: dad

Showing posts with label dad. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Little White Church on the Hill

I have been trying to write about this for months, but have never found the right words. Maybe I was unable to see the whole picture until now...

Bear with me the story seems like a long one but in my eyes it is truly AWESOME.

Two weeks ago, mom and I were driving to see some new friends. We spotted this beautiful church.

Note mom's hair in the picture along with a utility pole. I am still learning...

It was so breathtaking that we had to slow down to take pictures. A car was approaching so we had to trudge on, turn around and go back to complete our photo shoot. As we were turning around, another car (or maybe it was a truck, yes, I think it was a truck) approached and asked us if we needed help finding someone. We said no thanks, just taking pictures of the church. He smiled and was on his way. (How sweet!)

Yes, we took the time to turn around to take the picture, but did not get out of the car. We are going for quality here (wink wink...)

On we went to see our amazing new friends... Sam and Sharon. They live on a cool property out in the country. Lots to see so of course I forgot to take pictures of most of it because I was too busy soaking it all in. (Maybe this is why I don't travel. I feel like a bad tourist almost everywhere I go...)

Mom couldn't resist and had to get her hands in the dirt!

So, she helped with the weeding! I love that she enjoys gardening so much!

After a long visit, a lovely lunch and meeting some of their friends, they had something they wanted to show us...

They brought us to this spot.

This is the spot that brought us together. This is the spot that made our meeting possible. This is the spot where they pulled over in May to help a stranger in need. This is the same spot mom and I chose to turn around to take pictures. If you sit in your car and look ahead you see this beautiful scene...

But, if you look to your left, you see the Little White Church on the Hill.

Completely awesome! If you are still with me, there's more... If you stopped reading, I understand, but you are missing out, so I am sure something will tug at your heart and you will come back when you are ready for the rest.

So rewind to May. Here is the post I never posted... Please read it. It explains why this spot and meeting Sam and Sharon is so important. It explains why my faith is stronger than ever and why I feel so refreshed, so loved and so very blessed.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Angels Among Us...

My dad suddenly passed away on May 5th. Aside from being heartbroken, I found myself thinking about his last hours and minutes. Worried. Worried that he was scared. Worried that he was alone. Worried that he was in pain. Worried that he knew that the situation wasn't good. Worried that the heaven I so strongly believed in for thirty one years might not exist and that I might not ever see him again.

My dad was an amazing man. I am so proud of him, everything he was and everything that is because of him. I can't even begin to write about him for fear I might leave something out.

What I can write about is the beautiful story of his last day here on earth. A story that didn't unfold until after his funeral. A story that has brought me much comfort a renewed sense of faith.

On May 5, Sam and Sharon were on their way to town for their weekly Wednesday date. They were running behind by about a half hour. It was when they missed their turn and had to turn around that they noticed a truck pulled off to the side of the road.

In that truck was a very special man. In that truck was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great grandfather, a friend. In that truck was my dad.

Sam noticed the hazardous chemical sign on the truck and decided that he should pull over and see if help was needed.

Upon first speaking with my dad, Sam noticed him to be very confused. He didn't know where he was, what his name was, or why he was there. While Sharon was off calling 911, Sam helped dad out of the truck.

There was an instant connection between the two men. A connection that Sam relates with such beauty and confidence. A connection that I believe was God's hand. Sam sat Dad down. He sat sat right there with Dad in the rain. Sam hugged Dad and let him feel his presence. He and his wife told my dad, a complete stranger, that they loved him. They hugged him and held him and told him they loved him. Their friend, a pastor, was the next to come along. They prayed with dad. Finally, the ambulance arrived and Sam and Sharon waited in their car, but after a long period of time had passed, they realized there was not much more they could do, so they left not knowing how much they had done.

The ambulance took dad to one hospital and it was quickly determined that he needed to be airlifted to another. Mom was called... all seven children were called. None of us knew that two very special people had taken care of our very special guy. None of us knew that while we were all going about our daily routines, our dad was in need of something and God sent exceptional people to be that something for him.

Dad had an aortic dissection. He was in surgery for twenty minutes by the time my mom and brother reached the hospital. After many prayers and several hours of surgery we lost him. God sent two very special people to bring love and comfort to my dad. Dad sent two amazing people who will forever be dear to us!

Kiley, me, Sam, Mom, Tate, Sharon

Angels Among Us

I was walking home from school on a cold winter day.
I took a shortcut through the woods and lost my way.
It was getting late and I was scared and alone.
But then a kind old man took my hand and led me home.
Mama couldn't see him, but he was standing there.
I knew in my heart, he was the answer to my prayers.

Oh, I believe, there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live, teach us how to give
To guide us with the light of love.

When life dealt troubled times and had me down on my knees
There's always been someone there to come along and comfort me
A kind word from a stranger to lend a helping hand
A phone call from a friend just to say I understand
Ain't it kind of funny at the dark end of the road
Someone lights the way with just a single ray of hope

Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give
To guide us with the light of love

They wear so many faces, show up in the strangest places
Grace us with their mercy, in our time of need

Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give
To guide us with the light of love.

To guide us with the light of love.

Sam and Sharon came to visit us and helped with a tree planting in the park.