*****
A while back, I was confused and sad about another setback in Dad's health, when I started reflecting on the first time we almost lost him. It was almost 16 years ago, the day after his first transplant.
He had to be rushed back into surgery because he was bleeding internally. After worried hours that were covered in prayer by so many, we received news from the operating room that they couldn't find the source of bleeding and that it had miraculously stopped.
Through that memory, God gently reminded me of all the wonderful things that my dad had been able to participate in since that first time that He saved his life.
Here are some highlights that he was able to share with us:
* Ryan Jay graduating from high school
* All three kids graduating from college
* All three kids marrying wonderful spouses
* 6 precious grandchildren
* 12 Annual Hanson family vacations - wonderful times together at the beach, camping, or in Sunriver
* A 30th anniversary trip with my mom to Southern Utah
* Times with family and friends
* 15 Christmas celebrations
* Many more holiday meals and festivities
* Time at their cabin with family
* Countless conversations with hundreds of medical personnel
* Sharing with the world the lessons that he was put here to teach: A chance to honor God everyday through his faith in action. Quiet acceptance of his medical conditions without complaint. Joy at life, no matter how hard life is. Honesty. Integrity. Respect. Love.
For these and so many reasons, I am so incredibly thankful. I am proud to call him Daddy.
A quote by Clarence Kelland says, "My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it."
We watched my dad and as such, we know what he would want. He was always a team player, and he would want to make sure that the rest of his team was thanked during this celebration of his life. He was able to live well because he was a part of an amazing team.
First of all, his family.
Mom, you walked with him every step, showing us strength and perseverance, and most of all love in the highest form: as a servant. Your commitment to Dad is beautiful - the way God designed the marriage partnership to be. Thank You.
To his kids, their spouses, and grandkids: you gave him joy, support, love, and most of all, a reason to keep on fighting. Thank You.
To his family and friends: laughter, great memories, support, meals, help. Thank You.
To his coworkers throughout the years: you supported his need for treatment and often had to pinch hit for Dad while he was receiving that treatment. Thank You.
To the anonymous donor whose family saw the opportunity in their grief to give life. Thank You.
To his younger sister Marlys, who donated her kidney, so that he could have longer life with more quality. Thank You.
To all the medical personnel. Doctors, nurses, aides. DaVita Dialysis Center. St. Luke's Meridian. St. Al's Nampa. LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City. You provided him excellent care through the years that gave us more time with him. You showed him respect and helped him to have dignity up to his final moments. You guided us gently through tough decisions and harsh reality. Thank You.
And finally to Dad's coach: his Lord & Savior. Thank you for giving us time with Dad. Thank you for providing him strength. Thank you for taking care of us.
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Psalm 34:18
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
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