WARNING: This is not short! It is something I wanted to share with my kids and any one else that cares to read it. But I have a lot on my heart. So you are warned! The house is quiet, weve been through and sorted a lot of the mountain of food, organizing the flowers and Mom is in bed. I have to say this last 4 days have been a series of days that I had dreaded since I was old enough to realize that people do die and are gone from this world. When Dad died Tuesday, I was with Jamie and Louise headed to the hospital in Valdosta but before we could drive from Montgomery, at 10:23 PM mom called and told me that Dad had slipped gently into eternity. Wednesday we spent the day making arrangements and notifying folks. Wednesday night was tough to be in the Quitman church building with so many memories of Dad there since I had been a freshman in college. Thursday night we came back to the building in Quitman for a wonderful visitation with over 100 people signing the record book. How wonderful to hear stories from folks about Dad and Mom over the last 40 years. On Friday night we went to Valdosta where the great folks at Carson McLane Funeral Home hosted a huge visitation for Dad where we saw so many friends and I was brought to tears several times with dear friends who shared stories about how Dad had impacted their lives in big ways. On Saturday morning we went to the funeral home again and had a service for Dad in a packed house in the funeral home chapel. At the conclusion of the service, Andy Sykes led the audience in an emotional version of the Georgia Christian School Alma Mater. Not many dry eye after that:) at least not among the many students and staff he had impacted during 20 years there. During the week we have been covered with food, flowers and people saying they were giving to the church , the school or the childrens home to honor Dad. To the Strange family that had more of the Walkers staying with them than the Holiday Inn had last night, thanks are not enough for friends that go back over 30 years. I have come to a real sense of peace in the last few hours though it was really hard to watch our children, grandchildren and nieces leave. They have been such encouragement for us this week. We had extended family representing each of Moms siblings including cousins from Tennessee and Moms brother who flew in from CA. After the service yesterday, I suppose that my sister, Ginny Holton probably said it best. After we had sung, It Is Well With My Soul, she said, It is well with my soul but still hurting in my heart. I think that is well put and really sums up the way we can feel because of Dads life committed to Christ. Last night, our daughter Laurie Walker Morris told me, I cant imagine how it would be to not have faith in God and heaven. If I thought Papa was out there in the cold and dark, Id stand out there all night with a flashlight, but I know hes not there. Those statements really sum up how this week has been. Gonna miss Dad like Ive never missed anyone but am rejoicing too that he is out of pain and is where God, who keeps His promises, has promised Dad. Without that assurance and belief in Gods promises, I dont know how folks make it! Thanks to all of you for your love and care for Mom and Dad during the last 2+ years of his illness and all who have showered us with your love in the last 4 days. We can never express to you what it meant to us and well never forget.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 01:48:05 +0000
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