Here are closeups of each separate page:
The journaling reads:
Many times over the years, our family has gathered around Dad and Mom. Mid-February 2008, our family gathered around Dad once again, except this time we were there to say good-bye. February 8th, Dad fell. On February 15th, Dad was ushered into the presence of the Lord he’d loved and served for so many years and was reunited with the wife he’d loved faithfully for over 62 years.
All of Dad’s children and two sons-in-law were gathered around his bedside when the Lord took him Home. Over the next couple of days the rest of the family began to arrive from all over the country. By the time of Dad’s funeral on Monday, February 18th, and burial on Tuesday, February 19th, all six children (plus two sons-in-law and two daughters-in-law), all thirteen grandchildren (plus four spouses and one fiancee), and all five great-grandchildren had assembled. Dad and Mom would have been thrilled to have so many family members gathered together. They would have looked on all the teasing, laughing, and story-telling with looks of pride, contentment and happiness on their faces. We all were comforted in thinking that they could watch us as we reminisced and caught up on what was going on in each other’s lives.
As we gathered this time, as usual, conversations would start with, "remember when...?" There were also lots of, "Well, as Dad used to say...." When the tears came, there was always someone available to give the much-needed hug. While none of us were ready to say good-bye to Dad, we all rejoiced to know that we WILL see him again someday. His funeral was a time of celebration as we remembered a life well-lived. Dad served the Lord faithfully from the day of his salvation. As people came thru the line to express their condolences, it was more than obvious that Dad was still having an impact of the lives of others up until the very end.
Dad and Mom left us a great legacy of spiritual faithfulness. It’s now up to us to make sure that legacy continues until the Lord calls us Home. May all who come behind us find us faithful.
The verse by Dad's picture is: Philippians 1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.
