I'm So Thankful To Still Have My Dad

This is my dear daddy. Today it has been one year since he had a massive stroke. I want to honor my dad and give thanks and praise to God for all he has done this past year. My dad has made a very good recovery. Our family got together Sunday at Sharon's house, to talk about this past year and to give thanks to God for His mercy in letting us keep dad a lot longer.

We had a potluck. The adults visited and the grandkids played. We all talked about how good God is to have restored our dad's ability to walk, and to be able to think, and speak after such a serious stroke.
I love my dad so much. I'm so thankful to have a praying father, who has loved me and prayed for me~ for our whole family. I appreciate that covering of prayer he has faithfully done, for years, over each of our lives, and the lives of countless others.
This is my other sister, Kelli. We talked about that frightening night one year ago. Kelli and Sharon got to the hospital before I did. They endured watching Daddy suffer in pain for two hours. I drove thinking, that I may not see my dad alive on this earth again. I did not realize that I was driving nearly 100 miles per hour on the free-way. I had a peace that only God could give, and didn't notice the speed. God took care of me on my way. When I got there, I saw my dad in agony. The pain was so severe. Though all that pain, which came in waves, he did not get angry or mean. He just gnashed his teeth and cried out to the Lord, although most of this was not recognizable. Each time he did this, he asked God to forgive him. He is a sweet man, who fully trusts the Lord. Even when he was unaware of what he was doing, he honored God.
Dad was unconscious for about 24 hours. He nearly died five days after the stroke. He began going into a coma. Uncle Lester, my dad's brother, and Aunt Maudie and all of us gathered around his bed and held hands. Uncle Lester prayed the most comforting prayer. The next day the doctors said that it was nothing short of a miracle. He began eating, and recognized George and Ernie, his other two brothers, and his sister Jo. We were so grateful to God.
This is Dad with Sharon's boy, Cameron. Dad began getting better quickly. I know it was the touch of God on his life, and all the prayers of friends and family. Dad worked out regularly before having this stroke. He walked on his treadmill daily while praying for others. He didn't stop walking until he finished praying. His list was very long, and if you knew my dad and if you had a problem or were sick, or a widow or widower, you were on his prayer list.
Dad also, lifted weights, did push-ups, curl-ups, and chin-ups. He had a regular work-out schedule. His heart and lungs were strong, which aided in his recovery.

This is dad using the exercise bike while my brother Wade looks on. I'm so thankful my dad had the will to keep trying and not give up. He had double vision for a while, so the eye patch was used, which helped some. This is Sharon and Dad, with my cat, which we brought in for Dad to hold. Dad likes cats.

This is a picture of my dad with his dad. Both of them played the violin and the piano by ear. One of my dad's favorite songs to play was "Near the Cross."

This is a picture of Dad shaving his dad after his dad had a stroke. My dad loved both his parents very much, and this little gesture shows how he cared. He stopped off after working all day driving his truck, and took care of his parents for a little while, several times a week.
My dad was a truck driver and enjoyed his job. He worked long and hard days for his family. He didn't complain, but thanked God for his job. He prayed for the owners of the company he worked for.

This is a picture of my parents at my brother's wedding. Dad has always been a wonderful husband and loved and cared for Mom.
This is my dad having a little picnic with my two girls, after we went to the cemetery. Daddy always made the day fun. He always brought a snack or had us stop at a store to get a pop or something whenever we went on a day trip.
Dad went strawberry picking with the kids and me one day. We had a lot of fun together.
This is my dad doing a skit at church with the children. He enjoyed dressing up as an old country doctor, and it was so cute. Part of his cotume was an old doctor's bag.

My Dad in his shop, which he built with his brother Lester's help. He enjoys working with wood, and making boxes, bird houses, and many things. He has pictures of his family, his parents, and other memories all around the walls and tables.


This is my dad on our lawnmower. He used to come out and help us mow our yard, which often took three hours. He sacrificed his time to help us mow, pick apples, prune trees, pull weeds, and all sorts of farm work. We appreciate all that he did for us.

Here is a picture of my dad and my husband, Stacey, hitching a ride from my son Harrison, after a long day of hauling fire-wood.
Garrett with Dad one month after the stroke. I will not say that Dad's recovery has been easy for him. It has been hard on him and Mom. But Dad has gained strength and encouragement always from the Lord. At times he has gotten a little depressed, as he can't get as much done in a day as he used to. He is always cheerful and kind, and will ask you how you are doing. He is still a strong prayer warrior for others.
Garrett with Dad six months after the stroke , and he drove himself out to our farm. What a great God we have. I will leave you with of Dad's favorite verses:

"Thou will keep him in perfect peace, him whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3

So much time has passed since I began this post and then made it a draft. My dear daddy is now in assisted living where he and my mom both reside. I took this photo two days ago. I'm sad to see how weak their bodies have become. I'm very thankful that they are together and they are happy and love each other. They have been married almost 60 years.

This is a verse which represents my dad's life to me:

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him." 2 Chronicles 16:9

Please visit my sister's blog and hear her son's song to our dad. It's called "Grandpa" and it's done by Mackenzie, her son, under the name Forever Daydream.

http://roseofsharonmay.blogspot.com/