Through it All

Chapter 19

Funeral:
The preachers speak and BG sings the song that Robert requested. When he finished he made his way down the steps of the stage and Cheyenne scooted over as Ace gets up from beside her and motions for BG to sit beside her.
Ace walks to the podium and says:
" my dad asked me to speak today for him. As we talked in the hospital he had me write down some things he wanted to be said. Mom dad wanted you to know that he loved you and had loved you every day for the past 26 years. When you were 16 you met dad and the rest is history. Dad wants you to move forward with life, not dwell on the past and what has happened but look to your future and what lies ahead. He said to remind you of your promise to him to be open.
Colt and Sierra dad said to love Each other first and foremost. If you lean on each other then it will always work out and to remember your promises to him to always take care of each other.
Ellison and Brody dad said to tell you not to stress that life has a way of working out. To cherish each moment you are given and Brody don't hurt his little girl. He may not be here but BG is.
BG dad said to tell you that you were the brother he never had. That you were his best friend and that no matter what happened you would always be family. He also said to remember your promise to take care of his family since he was gone.
Now for what I want to say, my dad was and will always be my hero. He gave of his time no matter how tired he was. I remember my 5th grade trip to Bear creek dad was on nights and we had a 3 night 4 day trip. Mom was going as one of the teachers and dad was a chaperone my buddy. The thing is dad worked from 7pm to 7am. He got off work came to the school and started loading his truck with suitcases and all our stuff. We get there unload and start our activities. We went on a hike. Came back ate lunch and the went rock climbing ate supper had a campfire and then showers and bed. Dad never once complained that he was tired he had been up for 32 hours straight just to be with me. All of us kids have stories like that about dad. He was a great dad, never ashamed to hug me or tell me he loved me. Always at practices and games supporting whatever we did. But what has impressed me the most about dad was how he loved my mom and how she loved him. I know that they had disagreements but talking with Sierra and Ellie I asked them if they ever remembered feeling like mom and dad would get a divorce. They both looked at me like I was crazy and both said no did you. I didn't I know several of my people whose parents got divorced or they talked about it but not mom and dad. I can say that I have never seen them fight. Yes they had disagreements and got upset by never did I hear the word divorce. All I saw was love, unconditional love. Even after 26 years together and 24married they only had eyes for each other. That is what I will take away from my dad, how to love someone, how to be a father but most of all how to be a great man. To be able to make a difference in the life of someone. As we have had countless visitors at the hospital, the funeral home and at my grandparents, I realized just how many lives my dad touched. They all had good things to say about him but the one thing that I think we all could remember is how we make someone feel is what matters not money or possessions but how we leave them feeling. This is not good bye but like BG sung, see you again. Ace looks up and says" I love you dad and I'll tell you all about it when I see you again."