Daddy Sang Bass....

December 10, 2007. Today is my father's birthday. He would have been 58 had he not passed away in September of 2006. One thing that I loved about my dad was his voice. He was not the greatest singer in the world, but he sure was passionate about it. He had a deep voice and sang bass in the choir at church. You could not miss him because he often sat in the back row in the direct center. He was a head above the men he sat around. He loved music and was moved by it often. My love for music comes from him (and my mom, after all she is the music teacher).
Our house was full of music. There were numerous times that I would walk into the house to loud music blaring from the speakers as my dad was going about his business. Most of the time my dad was listening to the Boston Pops. During Christmas time he would listen to the latest holiday CD, mostly with a symphonic sound. One of my dad's favorite past times was to sit on the living room sofa as my mom played piano and practiced with her best friend, Maryellen as they prepared to sing and play for church. All of this to say, my dad loved music.
I recently listened to a Johnny Cash song on a CD I got for my birthday. On it one of the songs is entitled "Daddy Sang Bass." It explains the picture very well that I have in my head, as I know that one day I will sing with him again in heaven. The song is about a family who loved to sing. Their family circle becomes broken and yet there remains a hope that one day they will sing together again. " One of these days and it won't be long. I'll rejoin them in a song. I'm gonna join the family circle at the Throne." I know the day will eventually come when I see my daddy singing and enjoying life, full of praise and honor for our heavenly father. When that day comes it will be a joy to step beside him and join him in song.

Here are the words for your convenience:

I remember when I was a lad,
times were hard and things were bad.
But there's a silver lining behind every cloud.
Just poor people, that's all we were.
Trying to make a living out of black land dirt.
We'd get together in a family circle singing loud.
Daddy sang bass,
Mama sang tenor.
Me and little brother would join right in there.
Singing seems to help a troubled soul.
One of these days and it won't be long.
I'll rejoin them in a song.
I'm gonna join the family circle at the Throne.
No, the circle won't be broken.
By and by, Lord, by and by.
You could hear us singing for a country mile.

Now little brother has done gone on.
But, I'll rejoin him in a song.
We'll be together again up yonder in a little while.
Daddy sang bass,
Mama sang tenor.
Me and little brother would join right in there.
Cause singing seems to help a troubled soul.
One of these days and it won't be long,
I'll rejoin them in a song.
I'm gonna join the family circle at the Throne.
Oh, no the circle won't be broken.
By and by, Lord, by and by.

Not so Random Thoughts on Life and Death

Like every other Thursday Heather picked up Maya from school to bring her home and as usual they talked about her day on the home. Maya told Heather about a conversation she had with one of her friends, Lilly. Lilly asked, "Maya, who is picking you up today? Is it you daddy, your mommy, or how about your papa?" Maya replied, "My papa is in heaven." After telling Heather about her conversation with Lilly she went on and informed Heather about her recent conversation with God. "God said that papa was going to come back." To which Heather gently replied, "no honey, I'm sorry papa is in heaven for good." Maya boldly informed Heather that, "no he's not he is with nan right now."

Did I forget to tell you that yesterday was my parents anniversary. The story makes more sense now doesn't it?

I called my mom to tell her of the conversation and she simply replied, "how does she know, how can she sense those things?"

It's amazing the comfort and joy that memories bring. You would think they would be enough, but there not. What's more amazing is the comfort and joy that we receive knowing that our loved ones are in the presence of our Lord and Savior. It is because of Christ's death and Resurrection that we can find comfort and joy in times of trouble. Positive memories will only last so long, eventually they fade away. What's the one thing that will never fade? God's love.


I believe it was the Tuesday in between my father's death and his memorial service that I was sitting in chapel at Seminary dreading the fact that I had to be there when I didn't want to be. A message was given that chapel by one of my professor's (Dr. Terveen) who suffered a traumatic loss of his daughter years ago. I came across a pod cast of the same message given a few weeks ago at a local church. The message is entitled God's Voice of Comfort and all you have to do is click on the podcast player to listen to it.



Listen to it!

FATHER'S DAY REFLECTION

I woke up yesterday morning (Father's Day morning) to Maya climbing in bed with Heather and I. She was silent for a moment lying between us. She eventually starting talking with Heather, about what I do not know (I was still waking up). However when she said, "Mommy, I talked to Jesus" I was awake. Heather simply replied, "what did you talk about?" To which Maya said, "Jesus told me not to be afraid.... He told me that he was going to protect me from the serpent... He told me that I am going to be a big sister some day and to wait for mommy to have another baby in her tummy." This past week one of the greatest sources of comfort for me has come from the words and touch of my daughter. She has been amazing, her child like faith has revealed itself in numerous ways to Heather and I as we move through this time of healing and restoration after Heather's miscarriage.

Now back to yesterday... It's was great to relax and watch golf all day! Heather made me a scrumptious breakfast and I barbecued fresh hamburgers from scratch for dinner. Heather and I played boccie ball after dinner while Maya played at the park. It was a great day!

Intertwined with it all were thoughts and emotions centered on the death of my father nine months ago and Heather's miscarriage earlier this week. Life is fragile! The one thing that I focus on is the hope that I have in seeing both of them some day. I have no question that my father is holding my child in heaven as I am writing this and as you are reading it. It's the type of hope which is guaranteed, a sure thing. My favorite verse on hope is found in Romans.

Romans 5:3-5 reads:

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Questions to ponder:

1. Is this hope that the Apostle Paul writes about alive and well in you?
2. How does hope, "not disappoint"?