My Father's Gone, Send A Prayer With Him (Vanity)

self | 10/8/03 | JohnRobertson

[John Robertson]

Born in 1918, he never knew his father, who died in the Great Flu Epidemic of that year. An Army vet of the Pacific theater, he was the sole survivor of a plane that went down in Borneo, and carried shrapnel his whole life. CCC camps in the 30s, outdoorsman, conservative, a hard-drinking man from the time when that description was uttered with some awe, not disparagement. But he quit one day, with his own one-step program: I'm through with that. Born and died in northwestern Pennsylvania, though he did some ranging in his time.

I was asked to deliver his eulogy. Here it is.

[exit82]

A most poignant eulogy. Your dad sounds like the kind of man we would all like to meet and to talk with.

You have been bequeathed a great gift from him. Now take it into the future.

[John Robertson]

To all of you who responded so quickly, so movingly: My tears are welling up, and I must say, Thank You! And that's to everyone on this thread, of course.

[rangerofrage]

Beautiful tribute to your Dad-God bless-prayers for him and your family!

[tioga]

Great Tribute. May he RIP.
May God Bless you in your time of sorrow.

[wardaddy]

God bless.

I've been there. How a son deals with his father's passing is life defining.

I'm still being defined and it'll be 6 years on 12-13-03.

I loved your sharing this with all of us. Man, I can relate to the "pit stops"....near the end, my dad never saw an Interstate rest stop he didn't like.....

[netmilsmom]

Amen my friend!
John, I can see that your Dad is now watching down on us!! Hopefully he can send a small blessing for my girls. I think God will pass him a few favors because he was a blessing to all those he touched.

P.S. Last year my Dad was gone 20 years. Although it was tough being 21 and losing my daddy, I know he watches over us now. I'm sending a prayer that my dad will show yours the best fishing spots (are they all good in heaven??)

[truthkeeper]

Your father sounded so much like mine that I found myself bawling just reading your beautiful eulogy. If it is any comfort, there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of him at least a dozen times. It is true, they never really do leave you if they have left a place in your heart.

May his soul rest in peace. Please accept my sincere condolences and prayers for your family.

[Pure Country]

I can so relate to you. I just lost my dad two weeks ago. WWII Veteran. Born 1918 also. He served in Cairo during the war--airborne engineer. Had lots of stories to tell at the end, before that he didn't say much about the war. He did say that any simpleton could tell you how they built the pyramids. No big mystery.

He was a wonderful Christian Father and was honored by hundreds at his visitation and funeral.

I'm glad that you have great memories as I have.

[ChadsDad]

It appears there are two writers in your family.

[Leisler]

Well done.

[CathyRyan]

Prayers sent. I am sorry for your loss,

[CapnMcK]

God bless your Dad. We have all been blessed to have lived in the same world with the likes of him.

[So Cal Rocket]

He is viewing the Redwoods today from above, my friend.

[mafree]

My condolences to you- consider yourself fortunate to have had a good father. I did, and I'm hope he is there to show your father to the place in heaven for good fathers.

[Jalapeno]

My prayers

[Iowa Granny]

What a beautifully written tribute to your father. He will be pleased.

May he rest in peace.

[Simcha7]

Shalom

Dear John and Family,

Prayers being said for you and your Family during your time of sorrow.

Your Dad was a courageous man who Loved his Family and Country.

You all should be so very Proud of him.

The LORD knows your needs and He sees your tears.

Keep Your eyes and hearts on Him as He will Never leave you or disappoint you.

Call upon Him in your sorrow, He is Your Comfort.

Call upon Him in Your weakness, He is Your Strength.

Call upon Him when You are fearful, He is Hope.

Call upon Him when You are lonely and heartbroken, He is LOVE.

Trust In The LORD with All of Your Heart as your Dad is now with Him in Heaven, and GOD will surely take care of him until you meet again.

May The LORD Bless You and Keep You In His Love, Grace and Shalom...His Perfect and Abiding Peace.

Amen ~ and ~ Amen.

[Spirited]

Thank you for posting this tribute.
May his Comforter now comfort all of those for whom he prayed and lived. May his legacy, his mantle fall on those who most revered him.

[Mears]

What a great tribute. My mother,who died in 1995,loved coffee also.She judged all restaurants by the coffee,not the food.

Thanks for your wonderful remebrance.

[slimer]

May the Lord be with you and your family at this time of loss and may your father's soul find rest and comfort for all eternity.