Facing the Holidays with Hope

When I thought about Thanksgiving and Christmas coming so soon after Dad’s passing, I wasn’t sure I could handle it. But today I realized I have so much for which to be thankful. I had a father who loved me and let me know that all the time. We had him a lot longer than anyone, especially his doctors, thought we would. And I have so many of his characteristics and values, those things will never be taken away. Dad would never want us to sit around for weeks and months being sad and crying because he’s gone.
He would want us to keep going, to move ahead and enjoy life to its fullest because that is as it should be. We can rejoice that he is no longer suffering, that his pain and the whole aging process for him is done. And we definitely rejoice in the hope that we will be reunited in the not-too-distant future when Jesus comes back. We are thankful that Dad left enough life insurance to keep Mom comfortable and in her own home. And we’re thankful for how we all pulled together while he was dying, we supported each other and him and we got through the worst of times together. We are thankful we all still have each other.

On Sunday Mom and I went to a Guy Penrod concert. He’s one of our favorite singers and the concert was just awesome.  Couldn’t wait to get home and listen to the CD’s I bought.  This song that he did on Sunday is from his new CD, and it captures an important message for the holidays. I HIGHLY urge you to to go http://guypenrod.com and order a copy.