Right now I’m sitting in my car trying to figure out the best way to write this blog. In all honestly I didn’t think I would write this particular blog for another couple of years, but here I am about to write about my dad. I loved my dad very much, in fact, I still love my dad very much. The difference now is my dad passed away two weeks ago. I will always love my dad and have great memories of him. I guess that’s what this blog is about what my dad was like and how much I miss him.

When I was little I loved doing different things with my dad. Whenever he was going to work on his station wagon I always asked if I could help. He in return always said yes. Granted I wasn’t allowed to do much, but I got to spend time with my dad. Growing up my dad taught me how to ride a bike and how to swim. He would take our family to Dunkin Donuts as a treat every once in a while. He also drove us to Nelly Blies, a small amusement park in Coney Island, in the summertime. Almost all of our Summer vacations were spent at a resort in the Catskill Mountains of Upstate New York where my dad would drive us and I loved spending time with him there in the pool or horseback riding.

When I was a teenager my dad was very active in our Church, Salem Gospel Tabernacle. My dad was best known for his Jiu Jitsu, magic tricks, playing his drums, and most importantly being a Bible teacher. I was fortunate to have my dad as my Youth Group Leader and I loved it when he taught God’s Word. He would always tell us “Don’t take my word for it open your Bible and read it for yourself”. He would also always tell us if you find something different come back to me and let’s look at it together. I will miss hearing my dad teach from the Bible. On my wedding day, my dad proudly walked me down the aisle to my then-fiance, now husband. My dad loved to make jokes or as he liked to call them his yokes.

About a year or two ago my dad started to get dementia. At that time he was living all by himself in Brooklyn. My husband and I did our best to see him as often as we could and helped get him aides for around his apartment. Five months ago we were able to bring my dad up to Glens Falls, NY so he could live in an assisted living place. This place gave my dad the care he needed and at the same time my husband and I were able to see my dad at least once a week. Sometimes we got to see him two or three times a week. It was great. We took him for vanilla ice cream. We took him to the barber. We were even able to take him to Church a couple of times. Two weeks ago something happened and my dad’s body decided it was time to stop working. He spent his last week of life in palliative care while we sat by his side. For a brief moment during that time, my dad remembered me and called me by my name. And he was doing his Jiu Jitsu moves to perfection.

It’s only been two weeks now since my dad died and went home to be with his Saviour in Heaven and with my mom, but I miss him terribly. I know my dad heard God say “Well done my good and faithful servant”. I know my dad is now rejoicing in Heaven and walking and talking with Jesus. As much as I am in pain on this earth I know without a doubt my dad is with God in Heaven. If you are wondering how I can be so sure about this I will gladly tell you. All you have to do is ask. In the meantime, I hope this blog did my dad justice. I miss my dad so much and I will always love him. But I also know that he is in a better place with my mom.

Kathleen Smith author of Miscarriages My Story, Brooklyn Raised Livin’ Upstate & Hey You Moments to Remember. Blogs about a variety of things. Has her own podcast Kathleen’s Korner and she is the CEO of BearsWithApps. OH, let’s not forget her YouTube channel