Saturday, April 30, 2016
How do I say goodbye to a friend who taught me more about what being a daughter meant in 10 months than my own Father did his whole life? We were an unlikely pair from the start. You & I both knew it, but so did God & He blessed our time together. You taught me to be a better listener, more patient & giving than I thought I could ever be & you learned that you were gentler, more forgiving & kinder than all the previous years you had lived. You spoke often on our long rides to radiation, many times through tears, about regrets, shortcomings & fears, but also about your happiest memories & deep love for your family. You confided that you wished you could go back & do many things differently...you wanted to be a better Husband & Father. I always tried to encourage you, that God allows us to start right where we are in making those changes in our lives, & you did my friend! You became an even better man despite your withering body & failing mind. The cancer & medicines were unforgiving at times, but your family and I saw beyond them to the changes God was making in your life. Our last conversation, the Wednesday before you passed, I told you how proud I was of the man you were, that in your frailest, weakest state, God allowed you to become your strongest & very best self. Thank you Mr. Dan for allowing me into your life & sharing so much of yourself with me. I'm grateful for the wonderful memories, the laughter as well as the tears. I will miss sitting at the foot of your recliner holding your strong hand, but I'm even happier knowing you're sitting at the feet of Jesus holding His now. Thank you Miss Nancy, Daniel Jr (My Sweet Love), Matt, Tammy, & Liz for allowing me to care for your Husband/Father in his last year of life. In Christ, we will see him again one day (John 14:6) . Praise Jesus & glory to God Almighty for that! ~ Dorothy Shannon
