What a Blessing

Today was... I had the opportunity to share a wonderful day with a wonderful family. The Whitehead family is the greatest definition of love everlasting. Today, we had a simple ceremony for Dad Whitehead's passing. What a wonderful way to celebrate someone's life! A few simple expressions of love and friendship were shared by family and friends alike. I really appreciated the humbleness of each person as they got up to share some serious and sometimes funny tidbits of their lives with dad. Each person shared in their own way how they felt. It was a great blessing to be counted amongst the family membership, to know so many God fearing people with a great respect for each other and God.

Dad showed us all how to live a simple life. The best example was given by one of the grandsons on how simply he lived. He didn't worry about the little things. He always felt that anything could be solved through work and the love of Jesus Christ. Dad proclaimed his love for Jesus on may occasions. He made sure his sons knew the importance of a good work ethic and also of the great love for their Heavenly Father. He showed through example how to live for your family and for God. They were intertwined and treated the with the same respect. He and mom made sure the boys had everything they needed and even some things they just wanted. The boys learned through hard work and responsibility that they could accomplish anything. I think the best thing I heard was when Dad's father talked to some of the boys in his church one Sunday afternoon. Grandpa Whitehead asked all the boys at church to come to his house that afternoon. He told them that he expected to be able to see everyone of them in Heaven. Through this example, he emphasized the importance of living a Godly life, knowing that in the end, you will make it to God's kingdom. The importance in our lives is to live worthy to be with God. To show through our example and fortitude the way to eternal life. We as children of God must be worthy to go back to him someday to hear; "Well done, my Good and faithful servant. Thou hast been faithful over a few things. Thou shalt be made ruler over many things." 

I know without a doubt that Dad is with Mom now. The day started out raining in spurts to downpours. The clouds were dark and unruly. When the ending of the ceremony came to pass, the sun shone through the clouds. Mom was sharing with us her joy of being reunited with Dad again. Oh, what a glorious day. What a glorious blessing.