Index of what is here:

**Dedication To My Dad**

[ About My Dad ] [ His Sudden Passing ] [ My Letter to My Dad ] [ Dad's Letter From Heaven ] [ An Award In Memory of My Dad ] [ A Special Pic of My Dad ] [ Another Special Pic Of My Dad ] [ Awards/Gifts For My Dad ] [ Cards And Gifts Index Page ] [ Poems To My Dad ] About My Dad How can one describe in words, feelings that have none to describe them? You can't. This man was my hero for my entire life. He was fair, just and very considerate. It's hard to believe that I could have been blessed with such a great Dad. He spent his entire life trying to make something of himself so that he could give us all that he never had as a child. He managed to give us way more than the material things he wanted us to have. He showed us love. He taught us right from wrong. He taught by his example how to care for others and to always try to put a smile on someone's face. There are so many lives that he's touched. From his friends to just casual acquaintances. There are even street people who have been touched by him. I remember him telling us about seeing an old man looking in the garbage for food. My dad had a knack for not making people feel less than he was, and so he went over and invited the man to lunch. He feed him and then gave him a few numbers of organizations to call to get some help. My Dad's wife, Carolyn was the soul mate of his heart. He loved her beyond earthly love. She loved him the same way. It was so obvious to anyone who saw them together - that it sometimes made you envious of their love. But my Dad was always lucky....lucky in love and in life. He made growing up so much fun. He had a sense of humor that I've yet to see in anyone else. He was a natural comedian who loved to make people laugh. And when he told a joke, there wasn't one person who didn't laugh. He added accents and everything to make his jokes so real and humorous. Back to Top If you would like to leave at any time, please go to the bottom of the page. Bottom of the Page Dad's Sudden Passing My Dad passed away suddenly on November 21, 1998 sometime in the early afternoon. I don't know the time as the clocks in Intensive Care are not normal clocks...they are minute clocks and I didn't have a watch. I miss him so very much. I'm hoping that doing this dedication to him will help me. Maybe it will help someone else who lost a father. His death was so unexpected. One day he was fine and the next he was gone. I guess what is helping me is the fact that I was there. I was there and watched as each monitor slowly went to a flat line. I held his hand and told him that I loved him the whole time. I had prayed so much the night before asking God to spare him and let him stay with us. I know it was selfish of me but I didn't want him to go. I also prayed that if God really needed him, then He would take him, but I asked that He take him in peace and no pain. I didn't get my first request, but I did get my second one. I've spent so much time crying for this wonderful man that I feel like a rag doll but I know he is with God in Heaven because he was a very spiritual man. Carolyn had asked me to do and read a euology. She didn't want some minister who didn't even know him to read it. She made sure that Dad left here the way he would have wanted. Although a few people told her to do things in a certain way and she was confused and in shock from just loosing my dad, she always came back to what Dad would have wanted. I will always be grateful to her for everything she did while my father lived and when he died. She was there. She wanted him to keep fighting and not give up. She didn't want to loose a wonderful husband and I understood that. I didn't want to loose a wonderful dad either, but it wasn't in our control whether he lived or joined God in Heaven. I do know that the nurses didn't give us all the facts and this made hoping seem like a reality. All of us felt that he would make it. We had no reason to think he wouldn't. At least not until the end when the nurses finally told us how bad the situation was. At first we were told that he had an infection and that the infection was causing his fever to remain high. They put him on antibotics and let us believe that this would cure it. They never mentioned that for 4 minutes while under going surgery, that he had stopped breathing. Apparently they didn't notice that his breathing had stopped and that's why it was he was so long without breathing. They also never mentioned that this lack of breathing had caused permanent brain damage. This meant that even if he survived, he would have been in a constant coma. Back to Top If you would like to leave at any time, please go to the bottom of the page. Bottom of the Page I wrote a letter to Dad and read a poem that everyone thought was the perfect poem that matched my letter. Here is my letter to my Dad (I know it won't be my last one to him). Hi Dad, I know you've only been gone for such a short time but already everyone is missing you terribly. I'm trying to be strong because I know you'd want that but it's hard. It's hard watching Carolyn go through this. I'm trying to help as I know you'd want that. But I can't help fill her void that you left when you left earth. I was there Dad, I was there with you until the end. I watched each monitor as I held your hand and told you I loved you. I was there as each of your vital signs slowly went away until I knew you were in Heaven. I had prayed so hard the night before. I asked God if He could leave you here for awhile longer. I know that was selfish, but I just didn't want you to go. But I also prayed and told God that if He wanted you to come home to Him, then I asked that He take you gently, slowly and in peace. God always answers prayers (you taught us this) and although I didn't get my first prayer, I did get my second one. You went in peace and you went to Him quietly and with a smile. I'll miss you!. It's going to be Christmas soon and I know it won't be the same without you. I know that Carolyn will have a hard time as she loves you so much. I know you loved her too because I could see that love in your eyes and in each other. I'm glad that you had her for as long as you did and I'm sure she's glad she had you as well. Dad, help her now. She really needs you. We all miss you in different ways but I think that Carolyn's loss is bigger than ours. We lost a great Dad, but she lost her husband, her best friend, her partner and soul mate. She's going to need you alot to go through this. Help her....guide her and speak to her heart and let her know that it will be okay. Carolyn is right about remembering all that you are. She wanted us to remember you as you were - always joking, doing funny stuff and all the wonderful things you did to help others. Dad, you touched so many lives and with each touch - you enriched each life. You had a purpose here and it was done. The greatest honor that anyone can have is to know that their life was not in vain. I can't say this is going to be easy on any of us. It won't be. But it sure helps when we talk about the good times, the funny times(there was lots of those as you have a great sense of humor). Although we cannot see your body here anymore -parts of you will still live on. Your gentle caring heart will always be here with us and in us. Your wonderful sense of humor lives on in all of us. Your compassion for others is still alive in all of us. Your body is gone but not your heart and not your spirit. Dad, I'm really going to miss you. I sure never thought of this day. But I know that after becoming a Christian, I lost the fear of death that I always had. Once you meet God, once you know Him and when He touches you....you no longer fear death. I know that you are okay. I know that you will be waiting for all of us when we are called. So Dad, I know I've told you this before but I want to tell you again. Thanks for being my Dad. Thanks for being who you are. And most of all - thanks for showing us love, caring, compassion, understanding and a sense of humor. You made growing up FUN!!. Dad, I found some poems (you know me and poems *S*)that I wanted to give to you. All my Love, Your Daughter. Back to Top If you would like to leave at any time, please go to the bottom of the page. Here are some poems (you know me and poems) that I wanted you to hear. MEMORIES BUILD A SPECIAL BRIDGE Our memories build a special bridge, when loved ones have to part To help us feel we're with them still and soothe a grieving heart. Our memories span the years we shared, They build a special bridge of love and bring us peace of mind. By Emily Matthews Back to Top If you would like to leave at any time, please go to the bottom of the page. Bottom of the Page (Here's a letter I believe that My Dad would write to us all now and would send to us - if he could)

My Dad's Letter From Heaven

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say.
But first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from Heaven.
Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness;
here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you
when my life on earth was through.
God picked me up and hugged me
and said, "I welcome you.
It's good to have you back again,
you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family,
they'll be here later on.

Click on pic Graphic is © by the Artist Danny Hahlbohm

There's so much that we have to do,
to help our mortal man."
God gave me a list of things,
that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list,
was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night,
the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you...
in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth,
and all those loving years.
Because you are only human,
they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry:
it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers,
unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
If I was to tell you , you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, through my life on earth is over.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you
and many hills to climb;
But together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too;
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and in pain;
Then you can say to God at night....
"my day was not in vain."

And now I am contented....
that my life was worthwhile.
Knowing as I passed along the way
I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody
who is sad and feeling low;
Just lend a hand to pick him up,
as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street
and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps
only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go....
from that body to be free.
Remember you're not going...
your coming here to me.


Author Ruth Ann Mahaffey, © Copyrighted
Used here with permission
Visit Ruth Ann's Site for more great poetry

Back to Top
If you would like to leave at any time, please go to the bottom of the page.
Bottom of the Page

An Award in memory of my Father

My father was a very special man, so I wanted to offer a very special award.

You may apply for Lady Care's Piece of Heaven Award (and I will personalize it to your site name) by emailing me. Click on graphic to apply for this award. Thanks. If you'd rather not wait, please feel free to take the award as it is. This is a sample award but if you click on it, you will find an un-personalized one.

Applying for your "Piece of Heaven Award"

If you'd rather not wait for a personalized award, please feel free to take the award as it is. Just click on Award (this is a sample award but if you click on it (either click on it or right click and save as) you will find an un-personalized one and link it back to: http://ladycaresrealm.computed.net

Back to Top
If you would like to leave at any time, please go to the bottom of the page.
Bottom of the Page

Special Pictures of My Dad

Back to Top
If you would like to leave at any time, please go to the bottom of the page.
Bottom of the Page

The whole time I was growing up, all my friends and all the kids in school kept thinking that my dad was Tony Curtis.
I've compared pictures of them and sure enough, they could pass for brothers.

I know my Dad is in Heaven and so this picture I've made helps soothe me when I can visually see him with wings. I'm not sure if humans can become angels, but it's such a nice idea to visualize them that way , that I really don't care if they do or don't. The thought of loved ones as angels makes their vision look really heavenly.

Back to Top
If you would like to leave at any time, please go to the bottom of the page.
Bottom of the Page

Dad's Main Page

Main Page

My Special Angels

[ My Father ] [ My Neice, Crystal ] [ My Grandmother, Bertha ] [ My Grandmother, Florence ]
[ My Aunt Jeanette ] [ My Aunt Rita and Uncle Dunc ] [ My Aunt Simon ] [My Uncle Paul ] [ My Special Angels ]

All graphics and content © 1998- 2009 by Lady Care Designs.
All right reserved.
All other copyrights belong to their respective holders.

This set was made and copyrighted by Lady Care Designs.
Thank you for respecting the copyright laws.