This photo was taken two weeks to the day that my father was killed. Today marks the 26th anniversary of his homegoing. He was a wonderful family man. Here is a little more about my Daddy. (For some this will be a repeat of what they know about him. For others this will be new.)
(1) He loved to play men's softball and did throughout his life. He played college ball as a catcher. This was before catcher's wore any protective gear. He was hit in the wind pipe by a ball once and ended up in the hospital for several days.
(2) He loved the outdoors. At my childhood home in St. Louis, he lovingly planted about 20 trees on our property because he loved seeing them bloom.
(3) Besides winning many awards for his stone and brick work as a top notch stone and brick mason, he was an accomplished woodworker. I love his handiwork.
What a wonderful treat in February when I was able to visit One Logan Square in Philadelphia where my father worked my sophomore year. The night that we visited it was COLD but I was able to go into the foyer of the business building and into the hotel to see the building today. When we moved away from Philadelphia, the building was not yet finished. Interestingly, the hotel is now part of the hotel family that Arthur works for!
(4) He loved, LOVED the Word of God. I know of at least three small Bibles that he read so often that he wore them out. I cherish the one of his that I have. I also have is journal of notes.
(5) One of my fondest memories is of him reading his Bible in the corner of his room early on Sunday morning. He loved going to church so much and would be up early on Sunday morning reading and praying and prepping to teach whatever Sunday School class he was currently assigned.
(6) He was my 6th and 7th grade Sunday School teacher! Much of what I know and love about the Lord's Prayer comes from his teachings.
(7) He originally wanted to be a forest ranger when he went to college. He spent one year north of Couer d'Alene, Idaho planting trees. I have been able to see some of those trees all grown now. I have to be honest that I was a little emotional seeing those trees and realizing he had planted them.
(8) He loved birds! I give him credit for my love of birds.
(9) He was a man of prayer. When we were cleaning out his work truck after he died, we found what seemed like hundred of 3x5 cards with prayer notes on them. He never had a radio in his truck instead he would pray while he drove wherever he went. He prayed for the salvation of my Uncle Jim. I learned that Uncle Jim became a Christian before he died which is many years after my Dad died. At one time I knew how many years this was but suffice it to say it was over 25 years! Don't ever give up praying for the salvation of your loved ones!
(10) He was quirky at times. He was a red headed Swiss that would wear a Swiss hat on St. Patty's Day. LOL! Somewhere I have that hat!
Love you Daddy!
