I’m not a fan of funerals, and neither was my father. He always felt that no words could truly express the thoughts that went through the minds of family and friends, or the pain that was felt. I never realized how true that was until I lost my father.

There are no words to state the sadness that I have felt, or the thoughts that are going through every person’s mind. We all have different memories of my father, and different things that will make us sad.

Losing my Father is one of the most difficult things I have gone through.  As I am standing up here today, I realize how fortunate I was to have him as my Father.  There are not words to express his influence in my life.  It is through his example that I learned to be the person that I am today. 

My father was hardworking, strong, loving, and gentle.   He loved his family and was deeply devoted to my mother and  his children.   However, he was no Saint by any means or stretch of the imagination.   As a child, I always looked forward to his childhood friends,  coming over to the house.  They would reminisce and tell stories about their youth, and every once in a while, usually after they had  a few beers, they would forget I was in the room, and start to tell the un-edited versions of their stories.  I would always learn some new information about my Dad, and his wild side from when he was younger.

Although my Dad may never have said it out loud I know that he was truly proud of his children and the way we all have grown up. 

He showed strength and love right up until his last days with us.  I hope that one day, when I die, people can look back, tell funny stories about me, and talk about how I loved them.  Then, like my father, I will have led a complete life

“Dear dad, you will always be my best guide and will always be in my heart and memories forever. With the lovely moments we shared every day, your love will always be there with me and I pray to lord to give you peace and happiness wherever you are.”

On your funeral father, I send all my love for you through this  memorial as you lay down to rest. I pray to the Lord to bless you with eternal peace wherever you are, dear dad.”

As we all gather today, instead of me telling you of my memories, let us all take a brief moment to reflect on our own personal memories with my father.

*moment of silence*

I’d now like to close with a poem.

“Miss Me But Let Me Go”

When I came to the end of the day,
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little, but not too long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love we once shared
Miss me, but let me go
For this is a journey we all must take
And each must go alone
It’s all part of the maker’s plan
A step on the road to home
When you are lonely and sick at heart
Go to the friends we know
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds
Miss me, but let me go.

This is how I feel my father would want us to grieve. He would not want us to all cry for months, but instead would want for us to let him to go. He would want for us to be kind to one another, and to be there for each other, and to continue on our own journey.