I Am Thankful For...

As most of you know this has been a very difficult week for me and my family. We lost such a great man in our lives this week. We held his services yesterday, and I don't think we could have had a better day. I think it was a "God" thing as we have so often said this week. Losing someone out of your life is a gut wrenching experience but if you were ever doubting God's presence in this, don't. Dad passed so peacefully as Pastor Wayne described on Wednesday. The day was a pretty good day for golf afterward for his friends, especially for November. Kelsey Angle, his nephew, delivered a wonderful tribute to him in his uliogy. Mom, Audrey, and I worked on it a little bit, but couldn't and wouldn't have gotten it done without Kelsey. It was perfect and reduced our stress level enormously. The teachers and some (maybe all) of the students were dressed in South Barber gear. I did not witness this aspect, but I heard from the funeral director that his teaching staff stepped up and helped to organize seating to control the "chaos". The organ music was an array of songs that he loved from "Brown Eyed Girl" to "Boomer Sooner". Mrs. Daughettee was playing "Happy Together" my parents' song when Mom and Audrey and I walked in. It was so perfect. My friend Tim, channeled Willie Nelson, in his own (much more pleasing to my ears) style. It was just a complete blessing. I think Dad would have approved and been proud of us. Which leads me to what I was really thinking about when I set down to write this. Today is Thankgiving. Although I will miss him terribly, I am grateful for many things...

• All the wise words of advice that he has given me over the years.
• That he taught me how to think and make decisions
• That he taught me the importance of being accountable for my decisions
• That he got to walk me down the aisle.
• That he got to know my husband ...and like him.
• That he taught me the importance of service.
• That we got to enjoy OU football games together.
• That he had the opportunity to meet and enjoy Reed.
• The relationship that we had, he was not just my dad, he was my friend.
• That he taught me how to lead by example and not just with words.
• That he taught me the importance of family.
• That he had a strong faith and raised us with the opportunity to do the same.

I am sure there are many others...but these are the ones that come to mind this evening. You will be missed greatly Daddy!