My Father's Eulogy

Looking out I see many family and friends... It is such a healing gift to be surrounded by your love for my father. Thank you for coming and showing my family and me that my father holds a special place in your heart.

Your friendship allows us to know that my father will be nearby because of the memories stored within you. Please share them with us…never hold back, not now or in the years to come.

After 90 days at the hospital my mind’s eye and heart were full of my dad’s journey that he bear-ed with such grace.… My dad showed me courage, he showed me that he could endure much pain; he showed me dignity is his suffering.

My father’s death was beautiful… my family gathered around his bedside, prayed, saw him gaze lovingly into our eyes, knowing- trusting he was going to the heart of God, that his family on the other side was waiting for him with arms wide open.

It was a long and brave journey made whole.

I have struggled to find the right words, the right stories, the right note that would speak truly of my father...

But there are simply too many….. Family, faith, Ferndale, farming, fiesta, Westport,  motorcycles …..

Single words that hold a lifetime connecting you, my family... to my dad. He had a rich life… a giving life and life that I admired even to his last breath…

I only hope I can be so strong…that I can be as generous in my love as he was in his abundant love for life and family.

He was a man of faith, and the rosary was never far from his lips.

Our family is the way it is because of my father’s and mother’s faith, their faith in God. It is a legacy of love that cannot be taken even in death. It lends us grace and gives us courage.

My Mother and Father shared a special love story, one that was real, honest, and paved the way for us their children to follow: Before my father died my mother told him: That out of all the beautiful women she was luckiest because he choose her, and that she was so happy to be his wife, and the mother of his children.

Listening to my Mother in that moment sharing with my dad her love… oh how he beamed, his face lit up full of love before starting his journey home.

My mother’s love was sacred to him.

This is what I know to be true….

My father loved unconditionally, it didn’t matter what you did or didn’t do, and it didn’t matter if you where his color or how old you were…. it didn't matter what opinion you held, or if you rode a motorcycle or not….My dad loved and was loved. Who could ask for anything more? What a valuable gift I saw in my father’s attitude.

My brother Marty said, “That dad stopped aging at 60 or maybe 40….he simply did not grow old.” Life was something he enjoyed. And he lived it everyday to the fullest, in style and young at heart.

Every child should have a Father who shows them what love is all about. I could tell you over 81 reasons in a blink of an eye, why my Dad was a gem. How he was a generous man, how he would give you the shirt off his back, his wrangler jeans, boots and helmet too....even if he was standing, stranded outside, in a snowstorm, and you had a snowsuit on. He was loving down to the bare bone.

Every child should have a Father who tells them that the world is a beautiful place, and that they are worthy of it..

Oh Dad how you were so strong, so beautiful so extra cool!

We will see you Dad, yes we will see you in the rice fields as they flood and take root. We will see you in the eyes of your grandchildren and in all those that loved you. We will hear you in the memories that are stored in our hearts and that will be told and retold and remain vibrate for eternity.  We will hear you with each Ninety, Harley, Honda and skid of the bicycle wheel. We will hear you when we turn on the radio and see Mom grabbing one of the grandchildren to teach them to jitterbug in the kitchen.  Oh yes Dad you are here I see you in the eyes of those gathered here, of the many familiar faces, I see you greeting them with your sideways smile and easy laugh.

We will see you as the seasons turn, unfold and render… We have an abundant harvest in your love and you will be missed…

Comments

[Anastasia]

((hugs)) thank you for sharing your beautiful eulogy...so heartfelt.
i have loved reading about him on your blog posts... Im sure you will share many more lasting memories with us, I look forward to those too!!

[wilsonian]

Corey, I haven't had computer access for a while, and came here to catch up, and... oh my. I am so sorry.

I have been weeping here, at your loss but more for the breathless beauty I have seen here. The gorgeous, lush love you (and your father...) embody.

Praying peace for you and yours... your sweet Father already resides there.

[Tamara Giselle]

.

I believe your parents lived the saying that I hold dear to my heart. "The greatest gift a mother can give her children is to love their father, and the greatest gift a father can give his children is to love their mother."

Love eminated from this post. Beautiful man, life and legacy.

[Carolyn]

Beautiful words, from a beautiful heart, spoken of a beautiful person. Well done! Much love to you and all your family Dearest Corey.

[londoncalling]

Beautifully worded tribute to your father. Your love shines in every word.

[Amy]

Oh sweet friend, what a loving tribute to your beautiful father. You and your family are heavy in my heart, my thoughts, and my prayers.

[Mim]

Sending prayers to you and your family, and to your children and husband far away in France. This must be so hard on all of you.
Mim

[Christine]

What a beautiful tribute! Your love of your father shines through. Thank you for sharing.

[Heather]

Corey, such beautiful words. I am at a loss. My hug stretches across the land and grasps you. Take care.

[Marva Plummer-Bruno]

Corey - this is such a beautiful and loving tribute to your dad. You have me in tears as I write this. That is so neat that you all could be there when he went to heaven... I'm sure he felt the love that you and your family poured over him. I will continue to keep you and yours in my thoughts and prayers. Marva (I will probably think of him every time I hear a Harley...)

[Carole]

Beautiful. Thank you for sharing this.

[mary]

I feel so sorry and sad for you... all my kind thoughts...

[JO]

Sweet Corey...

Your words are so touching and so full of love... your father was able to leave this earth peacefully with your blessing because of that love...

There is a bond between you that will never be broken.. he watches... he is there beside you... he touches you with memories ... he whispers in your ear to let you know he is ok

Wrap yourself up in the caring thoughts you have of your father just like a comfortable fuzzy blanket.. that keeps you warm on a cold winter day

Truly a loving tribute...

Giving you lots of HUGS

JO

[Elaine L.]

I'm speechless. Your tribute is so beautiful. I think my life would have truly been blessed had I known George Amaro.

~elaine~

[beachy]

So beautiful, Corey. Your love for your dear father is poetic. Whenever you think of your father, know he is right there with you in spirit. It is comforting to know that we will one day be reunited with those who have gone on before us. Love is never-ending, and so is the love between you and your dear father. With much love and continued prayers. xo

[Mountain Mama]

You were blessed to have had such a father and will continue to be blessed as you cherish each memory.
I am sorry for your loss and yet so happy for the precious father he was to you.
God Bless you and yours.

[nel]

Dear Corey, you have taught me so much about a father's love. So much I didn't understand or experience in my own relationship with my dad. I now see my father in a new light... with compassion. He may not have shown love in the best way, but as I have been through difficult times over the last 12 months, for the first time in my life he is telling me he loves me. As I read about you sitting with your father in the hospital, loving him as he lay in pain and ill health and sharing your memories of him, I thought about my own father and if I would be able to do that for him. I now know I could. You have given me the courage and strength to love my Dad for who he is. I cannot thank you enough for showing me through your own love and compassion for your father, how to love my father unconditionally. Such a selfless gift you have given even in your own time of grief.

I pray God richly blesses you through this time and that you know and experience your Heavenly Father's love and comfort. Take care. Love Nel xo

[Paris Parfait]

A wonderful tribute to an amazing man, whom we all came to know through your words, stories and photos. Prayers and blessings to you and your family, dear Corey. xo

[Cara]

Oh my.. that is a beautiful tribute to a Man who was truely loved.. and also truely loved all of you~! My prayers are with you~

[Alexandra]

Beautiful... ((hugs)).

[tinker]

What a beautiful tribute to a life well-lived and well-loved.
Many ((hugs)) to you, Corey~xoxo

[frenchgardenhouse]

What an amazingly beautiful tribute to your amazingly loving and beloved Dad. The words God gave you, Corey, are simply perfect.
Lidy

[Massilianana]

Your words are so moving and full of sweetness , tenderness , joy , serenity ,they shine like your love of people and life .Thanks for sharing . Now take some time and rest...
Hugs all the way from Brazil .

[lynne]

truth and beauty

[Katie]

What beautiful heart-rending words, Corey. Thank you for sharing this time with all of us, I know that YOU know we are holding you up in some way or another...every last one of us who have read your words here.
I think you said just the right things, and how proud your father is of you, and is well satisfied with the life he lived.

[La Framéricaine]

Dear Corey,

Sitting in the state of grace that is yours the words came. And what heartfelt, inspired, touching words they were. Thank you for sharing them with all of us.

The journey in the physical loss of your father upon which you have taken us gave me an unanticipated gift this morning--a sturdy vivid dream of my own father, gone from this world since 1989.

It is the singularly most vivid and positive dream that I have ever had of my father and it did not dissipate with my awakening. It is hovering in my consciousness now as sturdy as a mental grocery list for tonight's dinner.

My gift to you is a poem today:

"Do not stand at my grave and weep"
Mary Frye

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I do not die.

Peace in the days to come and

Amitiés,

[tlchang]

Dear Corey,

After a blogging sabbatical, I have just read your last few weeks of entries. How beautiful and brave. And generous, to share this experience - with all it facets, depths and colors - with us.

Sending big, virtual hugs your way for today, and the days to come.

[deirdre]

Oh, Corey...beautiful, just beautiful. xoxo

[Betty @ She's Sew Pretty]

What a beautiful and moving tribute to your father. I hope in the coming days the memories of him will comfort you. Bless you Corey.

[andrea]

My heart...

Thank you for sharing this tender bit.
a.

[ricardo]

Just to send you a kiss!

[Mary]

Lilly's words made me realize that your father's legacy....."be more generous to family and friends" is what it's all about, I can tell he was this awesome man who probably never met a stranger. I thank Lilly, Lorene, Toni who shared their stories of the service and your strength at such a difficult time. Of course I knew you would shine......it was another time where you could pour out your great love for your dad, and I know he was listening and smiling down on you and your family. Your words were beautiful.

[Candy]

Corey - I've just gone back and re-read this amazing tribute to your father. And it occurs to me that I want to love like he loved - to the bare bone. Thank you again.

[Leslie Garcia]

Dear Corey,
What a perfect tribute to your Father... May He Rest In Peace. Now I hope that you will rest...and don't think too far ahead...rest.
Just smell the flowers...and rest...you have been on long journey. I know your heart is sore... Cry as often and as long as you can...it is very theraputic. Thinking of you all...
With Love,
Leslie

[babelfish]

So beautiful, so graceful, a heartfelt tribute to your father. Sending many hugs.x

[Gillian]

Corey
That was beautiful to say the least. It seems you have found your words just fine.
xoxo

[susanna]

Corey, your eulogy brought tears to my eyes tonight. That was a beautiful, loving letter you wrote for your father. I imagine that he listened to your eulogy from up there in heaven and smiled.

[collette]

I can't imagine facing the loss of a loved one without knowing Christ. His comfort reigns in you. To not know Him would surely be death but to love Him breathes life, eternal life that only He can offer.
What a beautiful remembrance of your father.
Your dad is truly *home* now.
xo

[Pam]

Your words are so beautiful! Thank you for sharing them with us!

[Ruth Douillette]

I found you on Pauline's blog. I hope the sharing of your grief has made the sorrow more diffuse, lighter at times, than holding it alone. I remember the feelings, both pleasant and sorrowful, at my father's funeral. I miss him. I always will. As you will too. I'm so sorry.

[Nancy ~ Fete et Fleur]

Beautiful!

I want to do the same with my life. I pray that I am able to be as loving, giving and alive as your Father.

Blessings to you dear Corey!
Nancy

[Joanie]

Such beautiful words coming from a daughter whose father taught her well. I know that your Dad is smiling down from Heaven right now and he's telling the angels, "That's MY girl!"

You will draw strength in the coming weeks and months from your Dad's love and he will never be far from you.

God bless you and your family.

[Cheryl]

Your Dad lives on with you Corey. You have honored him on this earth in so many ways and he is beaming from above that you, along with your many friends and family blessed and supported him as he made this journey. May many wonderful memories give you peace.

[Pat]

Simply lovely, Corey.

Thank you
Pat

[Dede Warren]

As your father was a gift to you, so you are a gift to him. What a wonderful, loving daughter he raised. You are both very special, that much is clear!
peace to you...

[herhimnbryn]

You see, you knew.
PAX

[Maddy]

What a wonderful Dad. Thank you for letting us hear your words, a beautiful Dad.

[Jeanne]

But for the grace of God go I~
I love you

Beautiful tribute to a lovely man.
God bless you and your Mother and all the family

“Whether we is rich or poor or something in between, this earth ain’t no final restin place. So in a way, we is all homeless-just workin our way toward home.”
~Denver Moore

As seen on my dear friend Jen's website~
Love you

[Maryjane]

Very sorry to hear of your father's passing.

[Cynthia G]

Rain falls gently from the heavens.
Fragrant flowers spring from the earth.
Hope rides on the winds whose singing
celebrate a great rebirth.

Somewhere in my heart the sunshine
of God’s love breaks through the pain
To prod the sodden seeds of promise
into flowering life again.

Overhead a rainbow reaches,
joining earth and sky above,
As deep within, my heart finds healing,
through the wonder of His love.