Today is the 40th anniversary of my father’s passing. I cannot believe so much time has passed! My father, Noble (who I was named after), was killed by a drunk driver when I was 10 years old. Of course, at the time, I did not realize the impact it would have on the individual, daughter, sister, wife, mother, or friend I would become. Although, there were many challenges I faced years afterwards and ways my life was affected adversely, this tragedy also shaped and blessed who I have become in ways that I can only attempt to explain.
This loss taught me that family and the people in your life are most important, that life could be short (my father was only 41) so not to waste time and that it is also very precious. Most of all, even though I grew up in church, it made me more curious about God. It made me want to know more about who He was and to understand more about life and death. This was simply because I could not understand how this could happen to the most commanding personality in my life. My father seemed so invincible to me as a child, so I never thought of him getting hurt. It led me to seek God more intimately because everyone was hurting, I did not know what to do and I needed His help.
Seeking God caused me to develop a personal relationship with Him and learn about His character, mercy, grace, compassion, and forgiveness, not only His commandments. Spending time with God gave me peace because I learned how to cast my cares and release what I was feeling. It eventually helped me to leave my worries with Him and eventually learn how to let them go. I also learned how to trust and have confidence in God and even how to keep my joy when things were not going my way. Since I believe that we are the sum of our experiences, I believe I would not be who I am or where I am if it were not for this experience.
Today, I thank God for the time He did give me with my dad. Though the time was short, he still had a profound impact on my life because of the wonderful person and great father he was. I love and miss him so much and often wonder what he would have thought of many things especially now that I am an adult with a family of my own. I love you and I am remembering you fondly today dad!
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