During my father's funeral service, my mother and I thought it would be appropriate for me to make an epilogue for my father. I had a tough time delivering the epilogue even if you couldn't detect it in my voice during the service. There was a point where I felt I was going to cry but I managed to get through it. The following is the epilogue I gave.
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When I think of the single most important person in my life, the person that I look up to most, without a doubt, it is my dad. To me, he is the definition of love & dedication as well as caring & kindness. These are the traits that my father embodied and these are the traits that I admire and look up to the most.
First, his love & dedication to me and my mom. From the time that my father married my mother, he always treated my mother with the utmost respect and he helped out as much as he possibly could. He would always make sure my mom was taken care of and that everything around the house that could be done, was done.
For me, my dad’s loyalty extended in every aspect of my life. Whether it was through each and every time that he called me “#1 son”, going to each and every math competition I participated in throughout both middle school and high school, or just sending random letters of encouragement throughout my college years with messages such as “You can do it!” or “Keep up the good work!”, my dad supported me through each and every single thing that I did in my life. He was dedicated towards seeing me succeed in life and always wanted the best for me, even if I couldn’t see it right away. For that, I will be forever thankful.
And now, his caring & kindness. Throughout his life, my dad always took the time to care of others. He gave all he could to my mother and I, including time, money, and unwavering support. I remember that every single time I would bring home A’s on my report card, he would bring me to the Dairy Queen for a chocolate dipped ice cream cone, I always enjoyed those trips with him.
He also woke up every morning and put bird seeds on our driveway so that the birds in our area would have something to eat. He avidly prayed for others to help them heal. He took care of family members in times of need. He mentored several people and gave advice to others so that they could develop their full potential and discover their talents in life. He touched the lives of many others on a daily basis simply by having friendly conversations and giving them a smile.
The death of my father has undoubtedly left a shock for all of us here. However, I do not want to focus on the death, rather I want everyone to remember my father for the caring & kindness and the love & dedication he displayed to his family and friends. Let us celebrate his life, and all that he has shared with us. Remember the special bond that each and every one of you has with him. I believe his spirit of kindness, care, dedication, and love will always be with us.
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