(for my Dad)
For many years I collected souvenir thimbles. I have more than 350 of them from all over the world. In recent years I have collected teapots. I guess I get that from my Dad. He collected flags, matchboxes, model boats and a multitude of things in between. He had a need to hold onto those things that were important to him; our school work, letters, cards.
I’m not sure that he got rid of anything.
When he became ill and could no longer leave the house, he recounted stories that he had collected over the years. Stories he had told many times but we were glad to hear again, watching his face light up when he recalled something funny and we would break out in laughter. This is one of my favorite memories.
I remember bringing a tiny rock from outside to him and placing it on his bedside table. When he asked me why, I told him if he could no longer go outside, I would bring the outside to him. He saved that little rock and later I quietly tucked it into his casket.
But most of all my Dad was a man of faith. He held onto the belief that God is real. He collected prayers for his family and made sure they were known to God. He was steadfast in believing that one day he would stand before the Lord and hear the words “well done my good and faithful servant.”
Only those whose names is written in the Lambs Book of Life will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
