In Loving Memory of My Dad

He was 27 years old when the doctor handed him a bundle of joy – a life he would share with mom for the rest of our days. As the doctor said...'Glen, you have a healthy baby girl...congratulations.'I’m sure he held me close, kissed my forehead, kissed my mom, & whispered I love you within his heart as he welcomed me. For that very split second, he was holding the youngest life on the planet...As time
passed, another life came to us, my sister,Brenda & our family was created. Over the years, we shared times of laughter, discovery, tears, disagreements & reconciliations. We talked at the dinner table about our day. Mom & Dad always took time to be there when we needed them, encouraging us along the way.

 

We learned about respect, family values, & God.

When I was very young, dad worked swing shift at Luke Mill. He would get up early & have breakfast with Mom - I would join them at the breakfast bar. We would welcome the morning over coffee (yeah, I started young) As he be walking out the door on his way to work...I would say to him:  “I love you, Dad -Tell Brooks & Gus, I said hello,”
He would kind of wave to me with his lunch box, & while placing his hat on his head, he’d reply “I will & I love you too, Chum.”As the years passed, I looked forward to our time together after his late shift from work. Usually after everyone was in bed, we would share a laugh at one of the many Benny Hill’s antics. And he would tell me about his day & I would share mine.

We would share talks & plans for life while standing under a chassis of his car, & later with my car on the ramp. From our time together, I learned about the care & art of detailing cars, business & life skills & how to stand on my own...

There are many moments that I remember ...yet one memory I would like to share that is very special.
The look on Dad’s face when for Father’s day one year, I presented a model car I had completed from looking at a photo of him with his 54 Chevy Bel Air. It was a project completed in love. He kept that car for 30 years....the model, that is. As long as I can recall,we have always shared a passion for the antique, classic, & vintage automobiles. For this model car was a gift that touched his heart, a common bond between father & daughter that would later have a spiritual meaning...

A couple of months ago I was home visiting dad. It was good for we had time to talk, & share our final goodbyes. But at night God shared dreams with me. And this one specific dream really was a message to my heart. In the dream I took dad’s bel air to the mechanic because it was rusting, the headlights were dim, there were creaking sounds that indicated a need for service & the engine was not performing well.

The mechanic informed me after contacting the manufacturer that dad had accepted the lifetime warranty extended from the original designer of this model. He would only have to return the model he presently has - no matter the condition - for a brand new one. So he did. My dad had accepted the Lord & exchanged his old for the new. Now - He has a new body, new heart, new eyes...and probably some hair...no bald tires in heaven, right. :o)

The next morning I shared this dream with Dad, Mom & Brenda ... it was awe inspiringly comforting. As I felt the Spirit reveal to me the message behind the dream. I cried.

For 53 years ago my relationship with my earthly father began when he was handed a small frail body, completely dependent upon him & mom for everything. We loved one another from the very first breath.

Recently my dad experienced the very same dependency as his earthly body grew frailer by the day. He was loved to his last breath.

Now, I can imagine him resting in the arms of His Heavenly Father. No longer is Dad a small, frail body that had no choice but to submit to the decease that overcame him....

He is whole. He is perfect. He is complete.

His were the first arms to embrace me. He is the man I called Dad all of my life.  I called him that as I kissed his forehead one last time. And with a peaceful goodbye I am sure that heaven extended a joyful hello.

As I was writing this...I spent time looking at old snapshots taken over a lifetime. Christmas of 1997 Mom & Dad gave both Brenda & I each a box filled with family pictures & memories.

 

On the underside of the lid, dad had penned this poem to me:

"When you are busy & on the go;
And life doesn’t seem to be much fun.
Take time & look at these old snapshots.
And don’t forget you are always our ‘chum’." Love, Dad

So, Dad, I love you too & for old times’ sake,"

Please...tell Brooks & Gus, I said hello."
I will miss you & will never forget you. If I could remember that first day in your arms, I’m sure I would have felt that love...Yes, I will always be your little girl...'Chum'.

I Love You, Dad.
Sharon

 

“God, our heavenly Father, thank You for sharing Your Son with us so that we may share our lives with You. May we appreciate the moments we are given, the lives we are to live, the blessings You wrap around us. May others may see You living in us. Thank you for giving us Your gift of  love & eternal life, & for patiently waiting by heaven’s door to welcome us home. Lord,

You have given us peace, assurance & comfort in our spirits as we place our Dad, & husband & friend in Your arms. Amen"

 

Cecil G. Dawson
11/24/1932 - 05/29/2013

 

 

            Dad...here is one of our favorite tunes... 'Sugar Blues'

 

 

 

can you hEAR Me now?

Let me tell you about a dream I had. In this dream I awakened to discover a question mark tatoo on my ear.

As I looked in the mirror, behind my reflection I saw words that had embedded within them or had the sound of the word ‘ear’. These included Ear-a-tating, Ear-rational, Ear-agate, Ind-ear-ment, Ear-regular, Ear-aresponsible, Ear-atable, Ear-raplacable, Ear-regardless, Ear-reversible, Ear-respective, Ear-reverant, F-ear-ful
Then I realized that the tattoo was attracting attention to my Ear.

When others would engage in conversation they would be looking over my shoulder. They were seeing my question-mark and the words that had caused doubt in my life. So no matter what I 'said' or how conviencing I tried to be... the doubt was staring them in the face. Doubt stood behind every word I had spoken.

At this point I heard a voice…you guessed it, whispering in my ear.

“Can you hear Me? I long to answer your questions in life. This dream is to remind you that I, alone, have the answers you seek. Look, listen and you will learn to discover My guidance in My Word.

And as you take heed of the words I continue to give you, you will see that they are designed to lift you up. The world uses words to discourage and confuse you. Please don’t follow your own understanding. I will enlighten you with the wisdom you are seeking.

When you seek Me, you - will - find - Me. As you hold My Words and hide them in your heart, you will discover that the ‘ear’ that is clearest in hearing me is the one that is in the Center of you H-ear-t."

Can you hEAR Me, My Child...Let's talk. Yubw8n? I've missed sharing time with you!"
Love, GOD.

"~FAITHless DOUBT 2 BeLIEve"

Faithlessness is a narrow focus on the 'lie' which is what people see in wanting to 'BeLIEve'.

In the search for the truth, we crowd our thoughts with technology’s never ending noise. The constant attachment to communication has stripped us of our silent thoughts, dreams,& ideas. Instead we hold prisoner our moments of relaxation to a vacation, a rare undisturbed time in nature, & within the last moment prior to slumber as we drift off to a few hours of aloneness.

Do we dare listen to our inner voice as it whispers it's desire for silence?
In that shadow of stillness, who will we find?
Are we too busy doing to just Be?
It would appear that this is true & weighs heavily on how we balance our beliefs...in everything!

Faith added with more time would surely prove beneficial if only we knew how to stop. In this world everyone wants to be the leader because we have no one who is willing to be a follower.

For one to follow their heart, a love,& even their God, they must submit their way. This so called ‘following’ has become out of fashion.

Often this position is seen as demeaning in status quo, or qualified as second place in the race for success. Your view of this volley determines your own personal position in life.

Faith less doubt is the soul's song of victory. Release all doubt less it become the knife that cuts your soul and leaves you to bleed regret.

Take the opportunities to be alone with your thoughts, your dreams, yourself. These moments will strengthen you, enlighten you, and revive you.

Never be in such a hurry to lead that you miss the privilege to follow your heart~

Have FAITH ~ It is the LESSon learned ~ Yubw8n?