Dear Snoodlings Family,
This is Carpool Queen writing to let you know that yesterday morning Amy’s beloved father finished his battle with cancer and went to be with his Savior in heaven.
I have re-written the above sentence fifteen times and no matter which way I write it, there’s no way around the grief that it encompasses.
This is her blog, and I will not put her emotions into words, but I will leave some of my own. I have had the great privilege of living in close community with her family for many years. I have sat at the breakfast table and watched her daddy read the sports page. I’ve seen his eyes light up at the sight of a fried peach pie. I have smelled his cologne as I’ve been enveloped in a welcoming hug. I’ve heard his unique soft chuckle and have memorized his smile. To say he was a very special man seems inadequate.
At his funeral, many will speak of how he was instrumental in mentoring them or how they were inspired by the spirit of worship he created in the sanctuary. I will remember a man who welcomed into the life of his family a young woman who needed a soft place to land and who needed support and understanding at a time when her own family was finding that difficult to give. Her dad was that man, and I am forever grateful for the place of peace that I found in that home.
Please pray for peace for his family as they navigate the details and emotions of the weeks and months ahead and pray for Amy as she walks the broken road. Those prayers will not be wasted.
- CPQ
33 Comments
November 16, 2009 at 11:42 am
Continued prayers for Amy and her family.
November 16, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Prayers are reaching the feet of Jesus for you, Amy, and your family. And we are rejoicing with you as you bask in the knowledge that now your daddy is free and with his God.
November 16, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Praying peace over all of you, Amy. Love you!
November 16, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Amy – Still praying! I pray God will comfort you during this time – that He will fill your mind and heart of so many memories of this much loved man that you had the privilege of calling “Daddy!” I’m thankful for his ultimate healing and that your daddy now sings in the big choir in heaven.
~Michelle
P.S. I HATE Cancer!
November 16, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Thinking of you. Praying for you, Amy!
November 16, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Amy, You’re in my thoughts and prayers today.
November 16, 2009 at 4:14 pm
I’m so sorry my friend. You are clearly a daddy’s girl. I love you, Sara
November 16, 2009 at 4:58 pm
I am praying for peace for you & your family. I am so sorry. My Daddy has been gone for 17 years now, so I understand some of the pain. Not all, but some. You will be in my prayers continually through these next few days, weeks, months.
November 16, 2009 at 5:05 pm
I’m so sorry, Whimzie. So, so, so sorry. I love you! Praying for you and your family!!
November 16, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Praying for you.
Sweet dreams.
November 16, 2009 at 5:37 pm
What a precious tribute to him, Sus…and many heartfelt prayers to Amy and all of the family.
November 16, 2009 at 7:08 pm
It’s impossible to come up with the right words.
well done, Susan… and to Amy- know that you are being lifted up in prayer by many who love you muchly- including me.
November 16, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Amy I am so sorry to hear this news. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
November 16, 2009 at 7:36 pm
You are in my thoughts and prayers…
November 16, 2009 at 7:44 pm
What a beautiful picture you painted of him ,Susan.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Amy and her family.
November 16, 2009 at 9:00 pm
What a great Dad you have Amy… I know your heart is broken, and I am so sorry. I’m praying for you and will continue to do so…
Love you.
kellie
November 16, 2009 at 9:47 pm
My prayers are with you and your family Amy…
November 16, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Continuing to pray for you and your family. Grieving is such a hard thing. Such a mixture of emotion and pain. Your daddy sounds like such an amazing man. I am weeping along with you as you are mourning. Please know you can chat with me any time…I’m more than willing to listen.
Hugs…
November 16, 2009 at 11:23 pm
“Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his saints. ”
Psalm 116:15
November 16, 2009 at 11:31 pm
I am so sorry for your loss and am sending prayers up you, your family and the world for the loss of such a blessing, a true man of God.
November 17, 2009 at 6:54 am
I love you my sweet Sister Cousin…..I’ll “Pedal” for you awhile.
Love you,
Albany
November 17, 2009 at 10:32 am
I cannot imagine the pain. With much love and many prayers.
November 17, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Oh man, I cannot even get my tears to stop flowing right now . . .
i am praying for you, and for their entire family!
November 17, 2009 at 7:38 pm
I’m so sorry you have to feel such hurt at this time. I hope you’ll feel our love and support.
November 17, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Amy, I have been praying for you & your family since Sun. when Suz got your message during our class time. At the time, I thought, “How amazing God is to allow us to pray for others who we’ve never met yet feel like we know because we’ve shared in their joys & sorrows through prayer!” I’m especially praying that the sweet memories you have of your dad will come at those times when you most need them, & that you will have the perfect peace that only Jesus can give you. Thanks, Suz for the sweet glimpse you have given us of this dear man.
November 18, 2009 at 11:03 am
Amy,
So sorry to hear about your father’s passing. Thank you so much for giving us all glimpses of him through your writing, prayers and struggle. Your faith has helped enrich us all as your family has faced this time. Thank you for portraying honesty and God-dependence throughout. It is instructive for everyone facing hardship, trial, illness and even death.
We are lifting up you and your family during this time of grief.
November 18, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Praying. I wish there was more I could do or say, but … well, the One to whom we pray can do all things. May He comfort you richly today and all the days after.
November 18, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Although I do not know Amy, I know the pain of losing a father. My father graduated 15 years ago. I await the day I cross that same threshold to be reunited with him.
When we have lost a loved one, we may also look at it this way: Of the roses that climb the garden wall, some will blossom on the other side, being hidden from our view, but the vine keeps them all joined together.
And so it is with the wall of death. It merely hides the other side; it does not divide. Our loved ones who have gone on to be with Jesus may be hidden from our view, but they have just blossomed on the other side.
And, if we, who remain here, are also in Christ, then we are all united together, because the Vine has kept us together.
May the Lord encompass the whole family with peace and comfort.
November 18, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Praying since I heard, Amy. Especially today.
There’s this song David Phelps sings and all I can do is picture your daddy singing it right.now….
“See over there, there’s a mansion, oh, that’s prepared just for me,
Where I will live with my savior eternally.
No more night. No more pain.
No more tears. Never crying again.
And praises to the great “I AM.”
We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.”
No More Night – David Phelps
November 19, 2009 at 10:41 am
Praying, dear friend. Every time you and your family come to mind. Which is often.
November 20, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Still praying for you all.
November 21, 2009 at 9:06 pm
wishing you a peace that passes all understanding …
sandy toe
November 26, 2009 at 5:29 am
Amy, just was thinking of you today. I know it will be hard. I love you, Sara