Lessons from the Memorial


Yesterday we held the “Celebration of Life” for Dad.  It was a beautiful ceremony and as I watched it unfold I took away a few “lessons” - things I noted, and ones others shared. 

The first comes from my own reflections…growing up I thought I had a pretty “normal” life.  Of course because I was a kid, there were others who had “more” or “lived better”, people I might have been jealous of…but yesterday as I stood in front of the crowd and recounted my memories, I knew (not for the first time) that I had an EXCEPTIONAL childhood, and a rare family life.  Lesson 1 - BE GRATEFUL

The second lesson came from the addresses given by my sister Mindy and one of Dad’s co-workers from the Allegan County development center.  Both told stories of Dad’s playful nature…. A video he made with Mindy where he wrestled a blow up alligator down by the Allegan rover dressed in his swim trunks.  And pranks like Saran wrapping a car, or covering it with bows.  Lesson 2 - BE PLAYFUL

Lesson 3 came from my husband, who reminded us that those who know God gain the fruits of the spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.  My dad had these qualities in abundance.  Lesson 3 - KNOW GOD

The next lesson was one my brother-in-law, Fred, remarked on.  It was Dad’s “shop sense”.  The pability not only to “see a need / fill a need”, but to ANTICIPATE the need and fill it before anyone even asks.  Lesson 4 - DEVELOP SHOP SENSE

And the final lesson was one I noted from the memorial itself, as people showed up to pay their respects.  Garzellonis, Glendenings, Conners, Agars, Goodriches, Garlow, Welch, and DeHaan - old friends who have been “part of our family” for at least 6 decades.  Then there were the Fosters, Pam Finley, and cousins Dana and Abigail who all flew in for the service.  And finally mom and dad’s new friends from Ridge Creek, who showed up in droves and are mom’s new “family”, there to look after her when Mindy and I aren’t around.  Lesson 5 - LOVE OTHERS (like Dad did) AND THEY WILL LOVE YOU BACK.

My Dad wasn’t perfect.  But he was perfect for us…and the world lost a little “light” when he passed away.  His legacy would be fulfilled if we all now took these lessons to heart and burned a little brighter because of them.

“No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your father in heaven.” - Matthew 5:15-16





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