If I may start with a thank you, thank you God for this day, and praise you. When I first thought of a “celebration of life” I was only thinking of all the great and wonderful things about my dad. I was looking back throughout our life as a family. I was re-visiting all the happiness I was blessed with because of who he was. So yes, it is the here and now that we do celebrate , but feel a great pain and loss. A loss of his presence, his smile, laughter ,his ability to comfort us, & help us think through our issues. He was our stabilizer, a conquer of problems with understanding and calmness. He had the ability to joke and bring a lightness to a heavy burden…. Always a presence of patience, love, softness, strength. He was our rock…. Dad sacrificed for others With enjoyment. Faced everyday with a willing attitude and purpose. Dad shared himself with loved ones (that’s all of us here) If we were happy, he was happy, If we were sad he would pick us up with his compassion. Always would offer, not force, good advise. He gave us room to be ourselves, and taught us to allow others the same curtosy . He helped us accomplish tasks that we could have self pride. Always was the peacemaker , if one was needed. Dad wasn’t famous, wealthy (by the world’s standards) , nor a ruler of any sort. Strangers didn’t seek him out to get his knowledge, nor did the sun and moon rise and fall according to his command. But, to us yes, he was the world… Dad enjoyed the simple pleasures in life, watching the birds gather for their nests, organizing & planning, puzzles, talking with family, preparing for family gatherings, fishing, sharing his talents.the list is endless. If I was asked to describe my dad, I would have to say, God put his own heart inside my daddy… He was kind, tender, affectionate, unfearfull, trustworthy, strong, (he could chase monsters away from under the bed) , creative, fun,. He gave from his very heart & soul to meet everyone’s needs, as it was needed. He was the giver of love. He was our cornerstone and Break from the storms. He was a smart man that could understand the deeper things of life and how they related to us. He was mindful of the thoughts and needs of others. Dad set a high standard of Christian morals through his example, of how to live in harmony with others. Lived simply? Yes,…But nothing simple in him. He lived by the Golden Rule. He Believed in us, which empowered us to believe in ourselves. But mostly, He gave gifts of himself, and showed how to love unselfishly. He never failed as a husband, nor father. He was a friend to all. He was the light of our world. He will continue to be our light. He will be in us forever by all this that he gave. Just think of that part of you that came from him, that makes up who you are, and there he is…. WE have countless good memories. He will forever be a presence in our day. If you need a “pick me up” when you get heavy hearted, think of his smile .If you need a laugh, remember his jokes, “how do you get an elephant in the refridgerater”? or my favorite, when he left me, cindy and mom inside a restaurant cause we were laughing uncontrolliby with milk coming out of mom’s nose. He was good for a quick light laugh, He’d say, “keep your chin up”… Both of them, or he taught the grandkids, “if someone asks, “ are you seeing anyone special”, you answer, “they’re all special” … One from when I was young, If you can’t dazzle them with your brilliance, then Baffle them with bull sh**. I did a little math, we celebrated approximately 245 birthdays together as a family, most at mom and dad’s house. Countless kids ball games, band concerts, graduations, marriages, births, school events, holidays, and non-eventful family gatherings. To say the least we ate a lot of cake together. But it was way more than cake we shared, it was the love of being connected to one another. I have always been proud to be called his daughter, and even prouder to call him dad. I am very thankful God chose him to marry my mom and be my daddy. Today I am greatfull to God to be able to celebrate this day. But not with any more sorrow, but with great joy, to celebrate his life, his new life, his entrance into eternal life. God created man from the dust, then in Gen. 3:19 God’s word teaches us we will return to dust, which means, we, our spirit will return to him. In the book of John 5:24 the scripture reads, He who hears my word and believes, has eternal life. And John 11:25-26 it is written , Jesus said: I AM the resurrection & the life, he who believes in me though he dies, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. And a very comforting word of God’s is Is.:41:10 Fear not, for I am with you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you , I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious hand. He is the victor, He concored sin, and overcame death, we have hope because he lives, we too may live forever with him. The grave could not hold him, he rose again and so do we. If,.... there’s a contingency here on our part… If we believe, and if we accept this gift of salvation. God said he inhabits the praise of his people, so when you need him, call on him, praise him. And there he shall be. Thank you Father, for MY DADDY, my HERO :)