Dad was the rock on which the wave crashed. He was a great Patriot and 3 time Trump voter even though his normie views on the world were shaped and influenced by his generation. He was such that when he told my Mom a year or so ago that I had been right the entire last 8 years, it held great meaning.
Dad was born on February 27th, 1940. He was the 4th of 6 children born to second generation Americans. Grandpas family had emigrated from Donegal Ireland in the 1860s to Saginaw Michigan through NYC. Grandmas family came to Detroit but first arrived in North America at Joggins NS Canada. We still have family living there today and they still own the house Grandma was born in.
Dad was a proud Irishman that travelled there frequently with Mom to visit my cousins in Donegal. He was baptized on St. Patricks Day and St. Patricks Day fell right in the middle between his death and burial. Full circle.
My Dad was a deeply religious man. His faith influenced his every action. When Mom was dating Dad he joined for a short stint in the Army. Mom loved his Dad and still went to the house every day. One day my Aunt told my Mom to stop coming over, Dad would never marry her, he was going to be a Priest.
Dad was hilarious. Growing up all my friends loved him. He would join us for a beer and his presence was always easy and natural.
Im gonna miss my Dad. The world has lost a great American and a fearless warrior for Christ. I have lost my best friend.
An Irish funeral blessing in Dads honor:
Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away to the next room.
I am I, and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other, That, we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes, we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect.
Without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolute unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you.
For an interval.
Somewhere. Very near.
Just around the corner.
All is well.
Nothing is past; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before, only better, infinitely happier and forever we will all be one together with Christ.
Ill finish with an Irish proverb:
Death leaves a heartache
no one can heal;
Love leaves a memory
no one can steal.
I am so grateful your father raised you the way he did. He was clearly a role model for you to live your life fully, laugh often, be comfortable to be around, and most importantly to be Faithful in Christ. You truly understand the meaning of Christ's death for all of us. The promise we will see each other again.
Another reason I am so grateful your dad raised you the way he did, is he gave you the strength to leave an amazing message of love and hope for a great many people, even those you don't know personally, because the message is what matters.
Not only was your father a great example, but you are as well.
May we never be afraid to declare our love for Jesus Christ, to live our lives with happiness and joy, and to take moments each day to improve the lives of others, even strangers, maybe most importantly strangers.
We all deserve lives that are rich with joy, love, and faith.
Thank you for honoring your father, reminding all of us of our Father, and for being a true inspiration with your post. I feel as though I've met your dad, and I look forward to meeting him, and you, someday when our paths come together thanks to our Faith in Him.
Until then, take joy in seeing your dad every time you recall a memory with him. The greatest gift of memories is we can always revisit those we love again and again.
If anyone reading this is in a place to create memories with your loved ones, take those opportunities! Make great memories! Memories are timeless gifts for those you love, and they will endure forever when you're gone.
u/#lord u/#prayer