This afternoon God welcomed a wonderful soul into his heaven. After a short and merciless battle with cancer, my Dad now rests at peace. As the tears flow and sorrow fills my heart, I remember a poem that I found as a teenager working in his law office. The words now bring me comfort as I remember the man who always believed in me and inspired me to greatness.
My dad (just four months ago) with my favorite blondes preparing to hike in the mountains in search of a beautiful trout stream…
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
Mary Elizabeth Frye
Today I ask that you pray for us. Although my faith tells me that my Dad is now in a better place, I am struggling to find the words to express the heartache that comes from knowing that his time on earth is through.
Feed Yard Foodie 
Anne, I am thinking of you and your family. This is a beautiful post and I am crying tears for you. You have been nothing short of extraordinary as you took care of your mom and dad over the last few months and I know your dad was very proud of you – for the choices you have made in your life and for the way you have lived your life with so much integrity, thoughtfulness, dedication, and love…..I give thanks for you and your family in my life.
Anne
So sorry to hear of your lose of your father. My wife and I having
lost our parents know what you are going thru. You and your family
are in our prayers. All the best to you and your family.
Robert Gwilt
I am so sorry to hear the news of your Dad’s death. I also have always found comfort in the poem you posted.
Been thinkin of you all afternoon.
Love the poem…..Thanks for sharing….I will use
You are strong….its right to be confused. Unfortunately I don’t think it will go away. Memories will certainly help.
Not sure what else to say….just wanted to respond….to you.
JB
The loss of a parent is something you never truly get over. It helps to know they are in a better place, but the grief never leaves. It just changes the older it gets. We lost my Dad as kids and it never helped when people said sorry. So I won’t say it but I will definitely keep you in my prayers!
Hey Ann,
Hubby and I are so sorry for your loss. You are right that your father is now in heaven with our Heavenly Father. We will pray for peace and comfort for you and your whole family. I can’t imagine how you must be feeling. If you need anything (that we can do) please let us know. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
KIm
Deepest sympathies, Anne. Your love for your dad is woven throughout your stories. How thankful those who knew him must be for his full and inspiring life, and how fitting he enters heaven the day before Thanksgiving here on earth. Praying for God’s comfort for you and your family.
Anne, Tom just got the email from Wally. Our entire family is here together in the Keys for Thanksgiving and we all send you our love and support. Your Dad was so proud of you!
Love and prayers from all of us,
Tom and Sue Fan
Matt and Chrissie
Tad and Mae
Branch and Katy
Dear Anne, Terry and Mrs. Gibson,
I am heartbroken to read this news. I have life long memories of your father and tomorrow I will give Thanks for the many wonderful memories we shared. Your father was a man who loved his family and loved his life. My deepest condolences from all the Foleys to all the Gibsons. Your entire family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
My sincerest prayers to you all.
Cassie & Paul Glover
Anne,
My prayers are with you and your family. May your love for each other help you through this time of sadness.
Anne,
I am so sorry to hear about your father. May you find the comfort you need in this time of loss.
Love,
Kristine
Anne,
I’m so sorry for your loss. May God be with you and your family at your time of need.
Anne,
So very sorry for your loss. May you find comfort and peace in knowing that he is now without pain and in a better place. Peace be to you and your family also.
Anne,
You and your family have our sympathy. Please take time to grieve and take care of yourself, you have done so much for others.
My deepest sympathies for you and your family. May your many beautiful memories give you smiles amid the tears. And know that your Dad left a rich legacy–his imprint on you and your loved ones! As I made my grief journey after my young son died and years later, my Dad, I held fast to the promise of seeing them again. They just happened to get to Heaven first.
So sorry for your loss, Anne. Your memories will help you through this very tough time and at some point you will think of your Dad with a smile in your heart and the tears will lessen. Take care.
I really appreciate everyone’s kind words and support. This has been a very difficult fall for me. Blogging especially has been a challenge because it was hard to write but not share our family’s challenges. It was my dad’s wish to keep his illness quiet, so I needed to respect that. However, this blog is so personal to me, that I really struggled writing knowing that I could not share what was so foremost in my life. I ended up writing positive and relatively “light” posts because that helped me to keep my spirits up. I appreciate everyone reading and sharing with me during this time. Your participation kept me going.
All the best,
Anne
No matter how ready you think you are, or how comforted you may be in your faith. it is still hard. Our prayers for you.
Anne, I am praying for you and your family in your time of loss. I know you wouldn’t want your dad to spend any more time suffering on this earth, but there is such a big hole that is left now that he’s with the Lord. We all appreciate the fact that all of your blogs, no matter what the subject matter are always upbeat and positive, but we also need to know that you’re human and hurt like the rest of us. There are going to be lots of times in the future when you’ll want to call your dad and tell him something great the girls have done or to get advice on something and the loss that you thought was behind you will feel like it just happened. Those will be the hard, but special times to celebrate the wonderful times you have shared with your dad.
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