Father's Day

Father's Day has been great so far. Last night we took a trip to Target and Vien picked out a new drill for Father's Day then this morning we made him breakfast and gave him his present from Violet and Micah. They chose (with the help of Mommy) a cookbook for the grill and Violet picked out a card with a lion on it for him. He spent most of breakfast looking through the recipes for pictures that looked good. A success? I think so.

As we celebrate our wonderful Daddy and Husband here, I reminisce on the wonderful Father I have. I miss him dearly but know that he is in a much better place. Every once in a while when I am missing him more than usual I go back to my scrapbook and read a few things that my brother and sister wrote for his funeral and I thought I would share them with you.

The first two are by Arlo and the last is from Melinda.

People often ask why bad things happen to good people. In my dad's case, I know why. As many lives as he touched in his health, dad touched even more lives in his sickness. He was an unbelievable example of courage and faith. It was amazing how regardless of his incredible suffering, he never complained. In his nearly 10 year battle with cancer, never once did I hear dad ask, "Why me?" Never once did he express anger at his condition. he never wanted anyone's sympathy. Instead, he would look at the obituaries in the paper each morning and say, "Well, I'm not in there today, I guess I might as well go ahead and get up." If laughter truly is the best medicine, it's no wonder dad lasted as long as he did! You don't expect someone dying from cancer to look you in the eye and joke about it! His awesome sense of humor will be dearly missed.
At first, you would have never guessed dad had cancer except that he kept having to go in for seemingly unneeded chemo treatments. His faith was amazing and he drew strength in knowing God would take care of him. Whenever he couldn't sleep, you could find him sitting in the living room reading his Bible. Dad knew without a doubt that when our Lord chose to take him home, dad would be joining him in paradise. At times when many might turn away from God in frustration and anger, dad's faith grew only stronger. Our family was extremely blessed to have such a strong Christian role model at home, teaching us how to live out our faith each day.
Why do good people go through such hardships? Because only some people can handle them. In their suffering, they are such an example of God's love for all of us. Dad's strength, courage, and faith were blatantly demonstrated to all who knew him. Everyone who met dad during the last 9 1/2 years of his life here on earth walked away thinking, "Wow! How can a man so sick be taking things so well?" People knew that whatever dad had in his life that was getting him through, it was worth having. I think dad could have let it go and gone home to be with Jesus many times over the past years, but he stayed tough because he somehow knew God's work for his here wasn't done. He knew he had a wonderful wife and family he had to take care of. He knew he still had two young daughters to walk down the aisle. He knew he had more grand-kids still to welcome into this world. He knew he had to visit the orphanage in Mexico one more time. He knew God wanted him to stay and be an example of courage and strength in Christ to everyone he knew and many he didn't yet know. He knew he still had hearts to touch and lives to change.
For 10 years, dad selflessly fought harder than any man should to fulfill his work here on earth. Selfishly we all begged him to stay, and he listened. He suffered more than I even thought possible. Time after time, dad struggled through chemotherapy and radiation that only seemed to make him sicker. It didn't make sense how a man so frail and so feeble could be so strong. It wasn't until mom tearfully told him it was okay to go that he finally surrendered his life. We are so grateful the Lord has finally welcomed dad to paradise. We are so excited for dad for his new life and new body singing praises to Jesus. I've no doubts dad is watching us today from atop some heavenly ski slope saying, "Don't sit there crying for me -- This is the best snow I've ever skied! Laugh a lot, have some fun, then hurry up here and join me!"

The Strongest Man I've Ever Known
I knew a man who was very strong
Yet kind and gentle when things went wrong.

Family was first and we'd have lots of fun
As we'd laugh together and play in the sun.

As with all else he did, dad's skiing was art
The passion ran like deep powder all through his heart.

A pro at raquetball, shula, chess and ping pong
To beat him once was what I would long.

He loved to paint and work with wood
And thought retirement was pretty darn good.

I had such a blast each time he took me fishin'
And later found this activity was not of his wishin'.

He wanted simply to spend time together
And create the great memories I'll cherish forever.

He love National parks, hiking and camping
Mountains, rivers, and leaves that were changing.

He loved to work with the church youth
And loved to teach them God's great truth.

Garbage can hockey, lock-ins and games
Touched the lives of more people than I can name.

Taking them on great mission trips to Mexico
Watching the cute little twins, and Alejandro grow.

Once sickness hit, he fought the good fight
And still laughed and joked both day and night.

For years he struggled when most would give in
And held out for his family again and again.

He served his duty well leading our family of seven
Then surrendered this life for a new one in heaven.

Now he's rejoicing and dancing in perfect health
For with faith in Jesus, my dad had great wealth.

We know as believers we will see him again soon
And laugh together beyond this earth and moon.

'Til then, his seeds of faith, love, and courage have been sown
I'm so blessed my dad was the strongest man I've ever known.
--Arlo Gagestein

But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more. My mouth will tell of Your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, You will restore my life again. Psalm 71:14-15; 20

In an afterward to a story he wrote, Mark Twain explained the writing process. He humble insisted that as one who is not a novelist begins writing a story, there is no story. Only characters and maybe a locale. The characters are people the author knows well. He's created them in his mind and knows their tendencies, their faults, their passions.

Once the author has these people in his mind, the story happens. It follows the characters and creates itself and them.

My dad was assuredly a main character in my story. With him in it, my story evolved with a fear of the Lord and a passion to explore adventure and enjoy life. He disciplined, directed and changed my life forever.

As I slowed myself to keep in step with him and opened doors for him recently, I thought back on all the times I had to run to keep up with him, and I thought of the many doors he's opened for me.

All the times I've run to him with tears and a hurting heart or with laughter and and adventure eager to relive itself before him.

He was a servant and gave himself for us.

Although last month was rough and even one stair was to much for him, one Sunday morning just 3 1/2 weeks ago, he climbed the five steps down and eleven steps up to Andrew's and my new apartment. He hadn't seen it, and I was anxious to show him.

I'm sure when he got there and saw the stairs, part of him wanted to turn around and go home.

The part of him that was storing up treasures in heaven, however, allowed my mom and me to get on either side of him. Pushing prideful humanity aside, my dad climbed one stair at a time until he reached the top and shared an omelet with us.

I know my story would be drastically different without my dad, and I'm sure many people feel the same.

Now he's with his King.

Gavin asked if we could go see Papa and Jesus next week. When we make it to where he is, time will become a mystery to us, and it really will seem just a vapor away.