by Kelly Robinson April 21, 2017 2 Comments

It has occurred to me lately that eventually either our bodies will fail us or our minds will. At least, this has been my recent experience.

My earthly biological father has been dealt the dementia card. My earthly “second” father’s body failed him, yet he retained his remarkable brain up to the end of his earthly existence. We laid my second father to rest a few days ago.

The greatest gift he ever gave me was the recognition (that as I was slowly losing my biological father and anticipating a future as an only child without any living parents), of the gift of belonging. Belonging to a family that had embraced me going back to the second grade. Belonging to a tight-knit, hard-working, foul-mouthed, fun, Lutheran, huggy, emotional, loud, loyal, Chinese stir-fry out-of-a-can loving family. He knew that I needed that support, and He knew how valuable that was (and would continue to be) to me. In his later years, especially after my dad was diagnosed with dementia, he formally claimed me as his daughter, in words and action.

I will never forget the sweet time the Lord allowed with him four days before his death. I sat by his bedside at the Hospice House and read scripture verses to him. Amazingly that day he was awake, alert, not-agitated and peaceful. He would rest his eyes as I would read scripture verses to him from 2 Corinthians, Psalms, and Titus. He reminisced about his trip to Israel, getting baptized in the Jordan, feeling close to Jesus Christ when he was in Capernaum, and how he did not enjoy all the garbanzo beans while there. As I was getting ready to leave he grabbed my hands and mentioned how cold they were, and like any good father would do, he held them until they warmed up again. 

Death is, perhaps, most difficult to the degree we loved the person who left us. And, I don’t know what is worse, losing my sound-minded earthly father somewhat suddenly, or slowly continuing to lose my earthly biological father day by long day. Both are almost unbearable, yet, the Lord continues to give me daily strength and the eternal assurance that above all our trials here on earth, He is my Heavenly Father who has claimed me as His child and Who loves me even more than my earthly fathers could.

 





Kelly Robinson
Kelly Robinson

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2 Responses

Mary
Mary

July 28, 2017

Although this happened a few months ago, I just now read it.

This is a beautifully written and heartfelt tribute to both of your fathers. I’m sure they both love/loved you both very much. Life is so hard sometimes. I do not understand how people handle these types of things if they don’t know the promises and peace of Jesus Christ.

Keep on writing. You have been given a gift.

Prayers for you

LIsa Kellin
LIsa Kellin

April 21, 2017

Beautiful tribute to two amazing men.(tears)How lucky to have two dads in your life! They teamed up to raise a beautiful daughter.

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