A Tribute to My Dad
One year ago today my dad died from complications due to surgery to fix an aortic aneurysm. It was unexpected and hard to hear that his various systems were shutting down.
But in the end, we knew it was best for him to be gone and not trying to live with limited capacity. The doctor had said he would be paralyzed from the waist down. That would have been a hard thing for my dad who was always active, either farming, building things in his shop, taking care of dogs, or playing with grandkids.
He loved Mom and they had just celebrated 47 years together a few days before.
We will spend time today as a family remembering Dad. I think he would be proud to see where we all are today. One grandchild graduated from college this year and he would have been thrilled with that since he didn’t go to college.
But even with his lack of education, Dad worked hard and provided for his family in a great way. We never did without, but we didn’t grow up spoiled either. We went to church and Dad went when he wasn't gone on the railroad. He was happiest with his family and people. Dad had a lot of friends, including some young guys who he was like a mentor with.
He also believed in giving people a second chance. If a guy came to Dad who had served time in jail, Dad would give him a job. I was always amazed that he would allow this person to work in his shop when he was gone. As far as I know, nothing was ever stolen.
I think this is why I have stayed in the position as editor of the Allen Co Jail Chaplaincy newsletter since 2000. I figure if Dad could see the worth in a person who had made a mistake, I wanted to be a part of that too. In each issue we do an interview with an inmate who has been brought to Christ through the jail chaplaincy. I always hope that when they get out, someone will give them a chance to work like my dad did with the other guys.
Another way Dad has influenced me through my writing was during this past year when I wrote a play as part of a playwriting group. I introduced a Grandpa and young man in it that, I didn’t realize until after the play was written, reflects what I saw in the relationship between my dad and my son. They were close and Dad always had time to talk to my son.
The play’s cold reading will be in a few weeks and I’m wishing Dad was here to see it. I know he would get a kick out of seeing something I’ve written – he always made a fuss about anything I had published. That meant a lot.
So even though Dad won’t be there, I’ll be thinking of him and thanking him for such a great life and example to us. We loved him and can’t wait to see him again someday in Heaven.
Kayleen Reusser
Freelance writer
http://www.KayleenR.com
But in the end, we knew it was best for him to be gone and not trying to live with limited capacity. The doctor had said he would be paralyzed from the waist down. That would have been a hard thing for my dad who was always active, either farming, building things in his shop, taking care of dogs, or playing with grandkids.
He loved Mom and they had just celebrated 47 years together a few days before.
We will spend time today as a family remembering Dad. I think he would be proud to see where we all are today. One grandchild graduated from college this year and he would have been thrilled with that since he didn’t go to college.
But even with his lack of education, Dad worked hard and provided for his family in a great way. We never did without, but we didn’t grow up spoiled either. We went to church and Dad went when he wasn't gone on the railroad. He was happiest with his family and people. Dad had a lot of friends, including some young guys who he was like a mentor with.
He also believed in giving people a second chance. If a guy came to Dad who had served time in jail, Dad would give him a job. I was always amazed that he would allow this person to work in his shop when he was gone. As far as I know, nothing was ever stolen.
I think this is why I have stayed in the position as editor of the Allen Co Jail Chaplaincy newsletter since 2000. I figure if Dad could see the worth in a person who had made a mistake, I wanted to be a part of that too. In each issue we do an interview with an inmate who has been brought to Christ through the jail chaplaincy. I always hope that when they get out, someone will give them a chance to work like my dad did with the other guys.
Another way Dad has influenced me through my writing was during this past year when I wrote a play as part of a playwriting group. I introduced a Grandpa and young man in it that, I didn’t realize until after the play was written, reflects what I saw in the relationship between my dad and my son. They were close and Dad always had time to talk to my son.
The play’s cold reading will be in a few weeks and I’m wishing Dad was here to see it. I know he would get a kick out of seeing something I’ve written – he always made a fuss about anything I had published. That meant a lot.
So even though Dad won’t be there, I’ll be thinking of him and thanking him for such a great life and example to us. We loved him and can’t wait to see him again someday in Heaven.
Kayleen Reusser
Freelance writer
http://www.KayleenR.com
posted by Kayleen | 8:09 AM
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