Sentimental Sundays

I've thought about my daddy quite a bit this week. Sweet memories of a great man who loved his family and friends. One of the most amazing memories I have of him was his last week with us. He lost the battle with cancer eight years ago this month, and it was during his last week that I saw how many people loved him. Friend after friend came to visit and sit with him. So many stories shared. So much laughter with him in a time of saying goodbye. Amazing love shown to our entire family.

One moment stands out over all. The pastor of my mom's church was there visiting. Now, my daddy wasn't a religious man. He didn't attend church except for the general Christmas play or Easter Sunday service. He had asked Jesus into his life after he had gotten sick. But, being so new in his faith, he still wasn't sure if he was going to make it into Heaven. He was scared. I had no idea how he felt. I assumed he knew he was all squared away in the department. Well, bone cancer is painful. Extremely painful. He endured it and got through each day, but in a lot of pain. Back to the visit from the pastor. I was walking into the room and overheard the conversation. Daddy was telling Pastor Shannon how he had asked God if he was really saved to allow him to feel no pain. He said after he prayed that, for just a little while, all the pain left his body and then he just knew. I was overwhelmed with God at that moment. What a gift to give eternal assurance to a dying man, so that he could enjoy his time left with family and not wonder or worry.  

Daddy always loved music but couldn't carry a tune.... at all! He had a great deep voice, but the notes just bewildered him. Once when I was home from college I had a tape playing a song called 'Thank You'.  If you haven't heard it... well, find it... but be warned it's going to stir your heart. Well, I sang and sang that song in the kitchen at my mom's. Daddy was listening and I didn't know it. He got up from his recliner and came to sit in the kitchen, trying to hum along.... humming completely out of tune, but it made me smile. Each time I came home I made sure I brought that song with me and I always sang louder than necessary so he could listen over the television, and just like before he would come sit and hum along. 

Today in church, someone sang that song. Boy, I wanted to jump up and run out the door! But I didn't. I sat there. I sat there listening to those words sung so beautifully by a man that Daddy would have loved to hear. I sat there with tears streaming down my cheeks missing that out of tune hummer. Funny how a song can sling you back in time and every feeling comes crashing in your heart. Tears are easy for me. I don't hold them back, especially in church. So today has been a sweet sentimental Sunday for me, tears and all.

Do you have a song like this that sends you back to special moments with family?