For some reason Saturday is the day that I am ready to watch the tribute video that Judy made for Dad's birthday last year after he had passed away. I also watched the funeral service video. I cried and I laughed and at times laughed and cried at the same time. It has touched me so much. It brought back so many great memories. I could tell you what was happening and where it was when most of these pictures were taken. Each one caused a lot of reflection for me.
At the time of 47:00 is Dad's Last Tractor Ride and at 51:00 is the Final Farwell to Grandpa, Great Grandpa (Papa) and Great-Great Grandpa.
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| Last Tractor Ride |
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| Final Farewell |
Made by Judy Rogers for Dad's birthday 9-8-2022
Thank you, Judy, for all your work in making these videos.
As much as I have missed Dad, I am so blessed to have had 15 years of living on the farm across the road from my parents and to see them or at least talk to them every day before Dad passed away. I was blessed when Mom & Dad talked me into moving to the farm when I was so sick with physical and emotional collapse so that I could live a simpler lifestyle and destress to heal. They said the day would come that I could help them out as they age. That was 16 years ago.
I have been blessed to go out on the Ranger for rides around the farm with Dad to check cattle, tag baby calves, chase cattle back in and fix fence, dig musk thistles, poison prairie dogs, cut and gather firewood, check crops, move equipment between fields, come to the rescue, and just ride to enjoy the cooling evening with the setting sun. Dad loved the farm life and his farm. I grew to love it quickly after he & Mom talked me into moving to the little original house on the family farm. I have been scared of mud roads since I was a little girl. I am no longer scared and will drive the mud roads but doesn't mean I like it. Yet I am not ashamed to just stay home when the roads are the muddiest. Hey, mud means we received some moisture!
I am also blessed to have been able to travel with Mom & Dad, hang out with them at the house listening to all his stories about people he has known and about life experiences. I was blessed to learn from Dad as I would sit with him and help him as he worked. I have also been blessed to help him as he aged and became weaker and needed help medically. I took him to doctor appointments, the ER, the hospital. I was with him as he had surgery and as he was admitted to the hospital for the final weeks of his life. I was blessed to spend the night with him in the rehab center just a few nights before he died. We did not get any sleep and I treasure every minute. I am grateful that he trusted me to care for him and loved me enough to share himself with me.
Dad has passed and Mom is living in Prairie Senior Living Center in the memory care unit. I have a little less "taking care of business" mode and a little more time to reflect and grieve the death of Dad and the slow loss of my mother to dementia and her move off the farm. I am finally able to feel with my heart and spirit. I am finally able to grieve. I am finally able to move forward with the beautiful memories. I see how greatly my Heavenly Father has blessed me. I am grateful to Jesus Christ for the atonement he made on our behalf and to know that he suffered all for me and walks beside me at all times even when I am not alert enough to realize it. I am grateful for the comfort of the Holy Ghost that gives me peace in my heart, mind and soul. God is so good. I pray I can serve Him and others in faith.
Even though I miss you terribly, Dad, I am extremely joyful that you are on your next journey in eternal life. I'll make sure that when the time comes that you and Mom are together for all eternity. I love you and will see you again.
Love you, Daddy!
Rose
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