Saying "Good-bye" ...For Now

My husband's father died this past week. Here he is pictured hugging our youngest grandchild after the burial service of my husband's mother just this past November. My husband's father  knew even then he was dying. ( His name is David,I always called him "Dad".)

This is a hard time for his family because although we know David is in Heaven, he is already greatly missed. He was a man who had a solid faith in Jesus and unwavering love of not only Jesus, but his family. He welcomed me into this family when I married his oldest son and made it clear I was then a beloved daughter. I never doubted his words and he showed me over the years his words were worthy of trust, and true.

My husband's father was the one who cried at weddings, cried at the birth of grandchildren, cried at the sorrows his family suffered, cried at the joys in their lives. He made great effort to be at all the grandchildren's sporting events, my children's fair competitions, and he rejoiced in the accomplishments of his many great-grandchildren.He prayed for any & all of his family during any tribulations.

My husband's father was born at home in Tacoma in 1927, and in the same neighborhood he had a home built ( by his brother) for his family ~ a wife and 6 children. In this very home he and my husband's mother raised their six children , celebrated and enjoyed life, and died ( she died November 2012), lovingly attended by their 6 children. Their 4 daughters (my husband's sisters) were the primary care-givers.What a blessing, to be able to die in your own home, cared lovingly by the children you raised.

I do not have adequate words to express my love for my father-in-law. I already miss him terribly.He was a humble man who gave all credit for his children being godly to God. As I sat by his bed while he was dying he spoke non-stop about Jesus. He said John 3:16 was his favorite verse. He held my hand, and he seemed more concerned about his family than himself.What an example of all that is good and right because of Jesus. 

"Grandchildren are the crown of old men, and the glory of sons ( and daughters) is their fathers." Proverbs 17:6 ~My father-in-law, the father of my husband, the grandfather of my children, the great-grandfather of my grandchildren exemplified this.God is so good to us, praise Him !