I Miss My Dad

I've been cleaning my carpets and upholstery for almost 2 days now... I'm beat and exhausted, but I've been able to think about alot of things while working. One of those things is my Dad. I miss him.

The other night, after reading before going to sleep, I had this thought... to go and start putting the different files together, in order, of my Dad's Life Story that he'd been working on for the past few years. I thought... you know... maybe 30 minutes tops, then I could go to sleep. I ended up working on this wonderful project past midnight (and you know that's late for me!!) - I just couldn't stop. This is a quote from the very beginning of his writings:

"Keep a journal, start in your youth, and don't procrastinate. I started recording my history and life events when I was in my 80th year (2006). It has been difficult to remember important dates and events that happened in my early life. I strongly encourage everyone to start recording their history NOW! Please don't procrastinate! We should all have started in our youth; please start now if you haven't started yet. And if you have started, good! And keep it up!"

I am so glad that he did write the things that he did. He had a list of the things that he wanted to write about, that he never got to complete. One of them was "Courting Miss Margene". I would have loved to hear about that!

Then my thoughts started taking a really interesting turn while cleaning carpets. I know that there is life after this. I know that my Dad is up in heaven or paradise performing work, maybe even missionary work, that is good and important. I know that he is able to associate with his dear family and friends. I wonder what it was/is like when he talked with some of his great ancestors who crossed the plains with handcarts, who knew Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon personally. I smile to think of Dad with his good friend Don Petersen, and so many other good people he associated with here on earth. I wonder if he has had a chance to talk with John's parents, Edna and John P., or with other great people that we knew who have passed on, but didn't really know my Dad on earth... for example, Ed Felker, Bishop Knoeppel, Brother Calbert, Brother Jarrett, even sweet baby Sanders (Jan Ellen & JK's daughter) who passed at such a young age. I hope that they look my dad up and give him good reports about me and my family!

Yes, I miss my Dad. I miss his phone calls, his voice, his hugs, his advice. I know I will see him again. I hope that I will make him proud in the life that I live and the choices I make.