Daddy's Girl

When my I lost my father to a tragic accident, part of my world died.  My father turned 80 on September 6, 2003.  He was full of life: happy in his marriage to my step-mom, Becky, loved spending time with family, grandkids & great grandkids, and friends.

13 days later, while running an errand with Becky, a man fell asleep at the wheel of his truck and hit my parents head on.  My father jerked the van to the right so that he and Becky would not be killed. He ended up taking most of the force on himself as the truck peeled off the left side of the van, crushing my father's vertebrae.  He was rushed to the trauma unit and I was told he would be paralyzed from possibly the neck down.

As the hours turned into days, and the days into weeks, I spent the better part of 6 weeks with him in Intensive Care while we learned of his fate.  He was paralyzed from the waist down and had to go in rehab to learn how to use a wheel chair and depend on people's help for the rest of his life.  This was not the way he was hoping to live out his "golden years."

My father finally came home from rehab in the early spring and began his new life.  He was getting along so well and we looked forward to the day he would come back to church.  I was asked to sing that day to welcome him home.  It would have been Mother's Day, a special day in my life anyway after losing my mother and being a mom myself.  But on the Friday before, my father didn't wake up that morning and went home to God to be with my mother and sister.  So instead, on a rainy and cold Monday morning, I sang at his funeral.

I was the classic "Daddy's Girl" and his death devastated me.  I still cry when I hear the song "Dance with My Father" or the one I have here by Josh Groban, "You Raise Me Up," the song I would have sang at church the day he came back.

"Daddy, I love you, and I miss you terribly.  I know you are better now, whole and walking with Mom and Danice in heaven.  Please continue to watch over me and the boys and we'll be with you one day in the future.  You were my strength and my best friend.  You would always lift me up with your smiles and loving words, even from the seat of your wheelchair.  You are the strongest man I have ever met in my life and everyday I take strength from what you went through and overcame." 

         

You Raise Me Up

Josh Groban

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;

When troubles come and my heart burdened be;

Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,

Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up: To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;

Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;

But when you come and I am filled with wonder,

Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up: To more than I can be.