Today is the day we celebrate my Fathers long life. 96 years!
Gone from My Sight by Henry Van Dyke
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side,
spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts
for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck
of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone."
Gone where?
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast,
hull and spar as she was when she left my side.
And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me -- not in her.
And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone,"
there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"
And that is dying...
35 comments:
In my neck of the woods, we describe losing someone like your father in the same terms as a library burning down. A huge loss of wisdom and knowledge that will no longer be around for others.
May your father rest in peace.
I am so sorry for your loss.
96 years, that surely is something. Your dad had an amazing life and thankfully he is no longer in pain.
<3
From the few things I have read on your blog over the years, he was an amazing man. I hope the family's celebration of him is lovely - - and that you all have a precious time together. Hopefully the roads and weather are conducive to easy travel.
Beautiful tribute. It is so very hard to lose your dad.
So sorry for your loss. He will always be in your memories. I know how hard it is to lose a dad. Praying for you and your family. RHill, TX
Beautiful poem.
*love and hugs*
A life well lived. Keeping your family in my prayers.
You were blessed to have your dad for so long. I was only 38 when my own father passed away. He didn't even make it to seventy. But I still miss him and my mom all these years later. So sorry for your loss. :-(
A lovely tribute. I'd not seen or heard that poem before but it is truly beautiful.
Your father lived a long and productive life. May he rest in peace.
Sending big hugs to your family. I imagine you have many good memories of his long and wonderful life.
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
Alfred Lord Tennyson
So sorry for your loss! He surely had a long life and left you with some beautiful memories! What a beautiful tribute to your Father.
Have a good day of remembrance. Your Dad had a long life well lived.
I feel he was well-loved all of that long life.
Oh my! This is the same poem I had in Michael's brochure when he died!!!!!! Sending you a hug!
Lifting you all in prayer.
I am sorry for your loss. May you be comforted by the love of Jesus and knowing that your Father is now with Him!
Sandy Berglind at berglindada@gmail.com
Sending a warm hug to you and your family...so sorry. A lovely story you tell us about your dear father.
Love, Titti
Sending you all much love on this sad day 🤍
What a beautiful poem. And what a long well-lived life.
Beautiful young man in his uniform.
No doubt yesterday was not an easy day. May God give you comfort.
Losing a parent is so hard. How blessed you and your family was to have your father with you for so long. Sending hugs and condolences to you and your family.
I hope the celebration of your Dad's life has been wonderful and full of love and memories. My heart goes out to you and your family and you will all be in my prayers.
Blessings and love,
Betsy
A great life! He can now play bingo as much as he wants.
I love that story about the ship......in fact, I used it when my father passed away in 2000. Hope your dad's funeral was beautiful and full of memories for all. God bless him and all of you.
Amen.
Beautiful poem....
Your dad was a handsome man , but more so than that, he was loved.
Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord. Let perpetual light shine upon him, and may he rest in peace. Amen.
I'm so glad you got all these long years with him. ANd you got to play Bingo at the last...a special time, just you and him
You were truly blessed to have such a wonderful man as your father. The poem is wonderful.
what a lovely poem...so comforting...
Such a true writing of going and coming to heaven. I am sorry for your loss of your father. All I have read from your blogs is that he was a kind hardworking man. Korea survivor, he sacrificed so much. Smiles in heaven.
I’m so sorry to hear of the death of your father. It’s a lovely poem, and I hope you feel it’s comfort.
What a beautiful way to look at death, He looks like a kid in that picture and I'm sure he was. My heart is heavy for you.
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