My Father's Ring

Chapter Fourteen

Candice opens the letter, sits down as she begins to read the words her father had written to her.

Candice, I want you to know foremost that I have loved you with every fiber of my being. One day when I pass please remember that my spirit will always be with you. You have brought me the greatest joy in my life and I thank God for you, my precious little girl. I may be 40, 60, 80 when God calls me home but it doesn't matter because you will always have my heart. I want you to hitch your wagon to a star and seek of the impossible. There are so many things I want to share with myou but where would I start? Your mother Rachel is the love of my life and it was because of her I came to know Christ as my personal savior. When your mother and were married it was performed by a famous minister by the name of Dr. Billy Graham and I find that a great honor in my life. The ring I leave has been handed down through my family starting with my grandfather who was one of the first firefighters to ever receive the ring for bravery in the line of duty. It was one of the greatest honors a fireman could have received in the early years. I hope you cherish the ring wherever you go and display it proudly.
I would also like to tell you that early in my life I wasn't a good person obeying the laws of God. I was filled with hate toward my father due to his abuse from his drinking until one night I let my anger get the best of me. I have come to understand that my actions of smoking in bed just because it was against my father's rules got out of control when I had fallen asleep, dropped a cigarette on the floor which took the lives of my parents. Please do not allow your anger to consume you go to God and ask for forgiveness. I have forgiven my father for his abuse of me during my childhood. There is one other thing and even your mother doesn't know this concerning Aunt Joann. This is so difficult to admit but it wasn't planned or intended in any way, shape, or form.
Joann's son David Dewayne is your stepbrother and I will leave it up to you if you want to ever contact him. It will be your choice entirely but I just thought you had the right to know. I would also like you to know everything that happened concerning David happened before we had ever met, so I wasn't unfaithful to Rachel. I don't feel the liberty to share about Aunt Jo ann's choice to do what she did as I was only a sixteen-year-old boy with no parents and it was Aunt Joann that took me in under her roof. Please do not hate her because as dad said, " she is still family." One day we shall meet again in the heavens with God and we will be together to live eternally. I don't know what else I could say, but I love you now and forever. Who is my number one bud? You are Candice Renee Clark.

Candice looks at the letter as her tears are dropping on the crisp white paper. The room is deathly silent except for the sound of the paper as she folds it up and places it back into the envelope. Her mother walks over to her, gives her a loving hug, as they weep together in one another's arms. The attorney lets himself out, walks down the steps to his awaiting car. The house on the corner of Bomford and Pearl, where the Clark family lives seem to illuminate the spirit of love to a young lady by the name of Candice Renee Clark.

The End of Chapter Fourteen

This story is made possible by the memories of the following people.

Bart Mayes a high school friend who died in a fire. 1975

David Easterling my best friend who died in a car accident in 1993.

Emerson Hileman my father who died in 2011.

Dee Anna Shadwick my former wife and Naomi Permenter my daughter who resides in Oklahoma.

Kimberly and David Lee Grounds whos marriage was a thing of beauty to those that knew them best.

To God from who all blessings flow.

In the future, there may be a part two.

This paper clipping is the inspiration for this story. I was a young man when this happened and my father was well acquainted with him. This event has been in my heart since 1969 as a young child.

Thank you for reading a Dean Kane Story.

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