A Tribute to My Dad

[bambu101]

My condolences to you and your famliy. That was a beautiful tribute to your dad.

[7rider]

What Wahine said.
Condolences to the Silver family.
It is a sad time, and I'm glad you were there for him. My own dad passed away peacefully 4 years ago with his family at his side.
It's hard to lose that rock...that base...but as you said: a new chapter begins with the strength of family that he instilled in you.

[OakLeaf]

(((((((Silver family)))))))

Though it may not seem so now, I hope your grief will be lightened by the closure you gave him and yourself.

[massbikebabe]

I am so very sorry for your loss Mr. Silver;

In April of 2006 six months after my stroke I lost my best friend and football buddy. We both loved to watch the games together. It was weird because he had been planning a trip home to Ireland for years but four college tuitions and six grankids kept him from going for the longest time. Finally he has his chance. On the day he and Mom were leaving I brought them a camera case and went over to wish them well. I kissed Mom and then I kissed my Dad and said "don't get in trouble over there, you have to be home for Molly's graduation." He kissed me and said I love you Katie, and then kissed me again and said give this to Molly when she graduates because I am going home to die. The following Monday I was folding clothes when the phone rang and I heard my husband say "I better tell her"...sure enough he was gone. I miss him everyday but am glad he did not suffer. It takes time but now when I think of him I laugh, sometimes cry but mostly laugh...he would want it that way!

I know he is up there waiting for me with a cold beer and a good football game!

karen

[Mr. Bloom]

Karen, what a story! Wow!

Last Sunday, Silver and I were visiting him at the nursing home and he just started rolling his chair out the door. "Dad, where are you going?" "Home", he says. "Dad, it's too cold outside." "I'm ready to leave", he says.

At the time, I halfway felt that "home" was somewhere else and that he knew it was time. I'm now sure of it.

It's funny: At his bedside, I tried to talk about memories to him. In the days since he died, we naturally remember so many more things. Though, at his bedside in the shock of the situation, I struggled to find things in my memory...

One vivid memory that I reminded him of at his bedside was one I have from about 10 years ago when we were out walking with my parents while the kids rode their bikes...and

my dad said "I want to ride a bike".

I paused and said something like "Dad, you're 70 years old...the pavement's hard...are you sure you want to do that?"

He said, "I WANT to ride your bike"

"OK, here it is"

It wasn't graceful, it was almost scary, but by golly, he rode that bike!

We weren't into cycling then...but for all these years, I've remembered that...

Funeral in 8 hrs and 21 minutes...

[Flybye]

"For these light and momentary challenges are creating for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal".

Isaiah 40:18-31
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

John 6:40
For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

Revelation 21:4
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Our valleys may be filled with foes and tears; but we can lift our eyes to the hills to see God and the angels, heaven's spectators, who support us according to God's infinite wisdom as they prepare our welcome home.
Billy Graham

Your sorrow itself shall be turned into joy. Not the sorrow to be taken away, and joy to be put in its place, but the very sorrow which now grieves you shall be turned into joy. God not only takes away the bitterness and gives sweetness in its place, but turns the bitterness into sweetness itself.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon

I hope these verses and quotes can help you, Mrs., and your mother through the grieving process. Let your emotions flow - the mourning process isn't meant to be dammed up and held inside. Your show of grief will be a comfort to others and a witness to your love for such a significant man in your life. What an honor that you had such a man as your father to pass on such a legacy to the generations that he leaves behind. What a blessing for you to be able to follow in his footsteps and leave that legacy to your family.

I got a chance to tell my dad I loved him and kissed him goodbye tonight. Do not take the ability to do that to someone you love for granted.

Those words are so profound. We often let such petty things seem so significant that we don't show others our love. Love is something that we are granted to give to others. We get to chose whether or not to give from our hearts, regardless of how we are received or treated by others. I am so happy that you got the chance to tell him good-bye.

I am sending you a e-covered dish of comfort food. I will pray for all of you. I wish that I could be there in person to do more.

[SheFly]

My condolences to the entire Silver family. Thanks for sharing this part of your father's journey.

SheFly

[GLC1968]

Mr Silver, Silver and your entire family - my thoughts are with you. May your father's peace bring some to you as well.

[jesvetmed]

To all the Silvers... just want to add my condolences this morning. I went through this years ago, also, with both parents, but my father first. There isn't a much harder thing to experience. Looking back, I realize there came a time several months down the road where I could look back on him, and remember the way he WAS when he was in his prime -- the navy chief, the strong father (feared by all the boys who came by the house), and the softy on the inside that he could be. It took so long to rid my mind of the person in the hospital bed that really wasn't him. It sounds to me reading your post that you may already be part way there -- that is my hope for you and your family. That your memories are soon all joyful and make you smile, not sad. My thoughts are with you all.
Jes

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

My thoughts and wishes are with you. You did good.

[luv'nAustin]

((((((Mr. Silver and family))))))

Your family must have been very good to you as they guided you through your early years. It shows in this tribute that you posted for your father and in the sensitivity that you constantly show towards all of us here on this board.

Your Mother, Silver, and silver children are lucky to have you with them as you all go through this difficult time together in life. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

[redrhodie]

That was a lovely post you wrote about you father, Mr. I'm so sorry for your loss. Every day will get a little easier. Ride a lot. It helps.

[Crankin]

May his memory be a blessing.

Robyn

[Brandi]

((((((((((Silver family))))))))))
It is so nice to hear you talk so fondly of him. Not everyone talks that way about their parents. And to be able to say good bye and I love you is such a blessing that not all of us get.
I am sorry for your loss but am glad he is free from he's failing human body now. My thoughts are with you in your time of grief.