In Loving Memory
We don’t have too many pictures of my parents, which makes this beautiful one even more special.
This is a couple that has been completely in love since the tender age of 17. Not long after they met, they eloped in a tiny church, ignoring the critical judgment of my grandma and everyone else. My mom changed into her wedding gown, a light blue long, paisley halter dress, at a gas station on the way. Even so, she made a beautiful bride with her feathered hair, and him a handsome, slender groom.
Through the rough times, and there were many, they persevered. When the world around them was crashing down, they held on to each other and a hope and a prayer. Their home never ‘felt’ poor. Quite the opposite; it was rich in love. They raised a daughter and two sons. The children grew up thinking all adult couples spooned on the couch every night when they watched tv. That Dads were always there to protect and moms worked hard and secretly liked getting their butts pinched all the time. And when you fought, you fought loud and hard, but never for long.
Nearly 33 years after that young couple married, they danced at my wedding. This is how I want to remember my Dad. Strong, handsome and happy. Free of pain, not only able to walk, but to dance as well. To hold close the family he loved so very, very much. I hope in heaven he is getting to ride the most badass motorcycles as fast as they will go and feel the breeze through a head full of hair. It’s your turn to soar Dad, to be in a place where life is always on your side and you get to experience a love we can only speculate about here.
I wish you so much peace. Our hearts are broken without you and our family will never be the same.
________________
I can barely type past the tears. Megan. This is such a beautiful beautiful tribute to your dad. I loved reading every word. They sound so in love. I know this time is brutally tender for you all. Love the vision of your dad riding a badass motorcycle. . . no doubt about it. Thank you for sharing. Love you, dear friend. xoxo
Court, I love you mama. So thankful for your friendship and I know you have experienced the same kind of devastating loss. We know life goes on and it makes us thankful for all the things we get to share from now on. We don't take for granted the little things.
I am so sorry for your loss. I have not been through the loss of a parent, but I have survived the loss of a child. The only thing anyone ever said to me during that difficult time that really hit home was to tell yourself that you can make it through the next hour, and then the day, the week, and the month. I can't tell you how many times I would say to myself "I can get through this hour". But eventually it does get easier. I will be thinking of you and praying for your family. Hugs, Robin
Oh Robin, I can only imagine your pain. I know loss is loss, but losing a child is just beyond. I appreciate you sharing here and thank you for your prayers. I'll be thinking of you too.
Praying for you, Megan… My heart hurts for you.
Thank you so sweet Jessica!
I am so sorry, Megan. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Thank you Rosy!
I am so very sorry. Prayers for you at this time.
Thank you Jessie.
I'm very sorry for your loss. May your family heal and remember the happy times.
Thank you Katrina, remembering those happy times helps.
I'm so very sorry. Hold your family close and love each other.
Hugs to you. What beautiful words.
Thanks so much for your sweet words.
I am so, so sorry for your loss. I'm a big daddy' girl so I can't imagine what you're going through. sending prayers your way.
xoxo, SS
The Southern Stylista
Thanks Jordyn. Give your daddy a big ole hug! Appreciate you!
I am so sorry for your loss. I can only hope that your memories give you comfort during this difficult time.
Thank you Shannon.
So beautifully written, Megan. Thanking you for sharing of the incredible love your parents had for each ofther. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Thank you Jess. I can't talk about my Dad without talking about my Mom. They were practically one person after so many years together.
I am so sorry for your loss. God Bless. I will keep your family in prayer during this very difficult time.
Thank you Marty! I appreciate you!
Sweet friend, I have tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat…what a beautiful tribute to your dad. My heart breaks for you and your family, and I'll be thinking and praying for you all during this difficult time. Here for you always! xoxo
We've gone through a lot of this disease together and I thank you so much for being there for me Cassie. Can't wait to see you soon.
Dear Megan, I am so very sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. It brought tears to my eyes. I do know how terribly hard it is to lose a parent. Your dad sounded like a wonderful man. I love the story of your parent's elopement. Cherish all of the special times and wonderful memories you have. Thinking of you my dear and keeping you and your family in my prayers. I know it must be very hard on James too, to lose his Grandpa. Take care Megan and be gentle with yourself. Thank you for sharing this with us. Sending you love and a big hug.
Thank you Allison. We've been able to talk openly with James throughout this illness and we prayed for Grandpa every night. They had a special relationship and I wish they could've had more time together. It will always feel like he went too soon, such a young man.
Oh Megan. I am in tears for you. So very, very sorry for your family's great loss. xoxoxo
Thank you Jennifer.
I'm so very sorry to hear this. Nothing can prepare us for the loss of a parent, but he certainly lived a life filled with love.
That's for sure. He told me many times he'd had a great life. Thank you for taking the time to write Jenny.
I have been right where you are, it sucks!!! Your family and God will see you through, hour by hour, day by day, and someday you will be reunited…..Thinking of you and praying for you ~Kim
You're so right, it sucks! We have already been comforted and I'm really thankful for people like you. Especially when you can relate through your own loss, it makes me feel not alone. Appreciate you Kim.
I am so sorry for your loss, Megan. Thinking of you and your family and sending prayers.
Thank you so much.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Your tribute is beautiful. I wish you and your family peace during this very difficult and sad time. xo
Thank you Lisa.
very touching words. So sorry for your loss!
Thank you Kelly.
Megan, I'm deeply sorry for your loss. This is a beautiful tribute! Having lost my dad just last year, I know that as you say, thoughts of them being happy and free bring peace. May you and your family be strengthened in this time. xxx
You know how it feels. We have that in common now. Thank you for taking the time to write Nickesha.
I'm so very sorry.
Thank you Kathy.
Your tribute to your dad is beautiful. It's so wonderful that you have these memories to remember and squeeze tightly during this difficult time. I'm so sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Thanks Nicole. I hope I did my Dad proud with this post. It's hard to put a lifetime of love into just a few words.
Beautiful post. I am so sorry for your loss.
Thank you Megan.
So sorry for your loss!
Thank you Sandy.
Beautiful words! And nice picture.
Thank you Christine. I love this picture and plan to frame it.
I am so sorry for you loss. How lucky to have witnessed such an amazing relationship, day in and day out. Thinking of your family during this difficult time.
Thanks Andrea. My parents definitely showed me the strong love between a couple.
I am so sorry to learn of your darling Dad's death. What a loving tribute. Prayers for comfort for you, your Mom and the whole family.
Thank you so much. I share with my Mom all these kind words and they mean so much.
So sorry Megan, this is beautiful x
Thank you Anna.
I am so sorry for your loss! What a beautiful tribute to your father. Sending prayers your way.
Thank you Caroline.
What a beautiful tribute to your sweet father Megan. I have always said when viewing your family pictures, that so much love abounds, and it is obvious you never took it for granted. I am deeply saddened to hear of your father's passing, but know he is in a much better place.. A place free of pain, completely healed, no longer broken, and yes…riding those badass motorcycles he loved so much (I love the picture of your parents on your dad's bike). May God be with you and the entire family in the coming weeks, months, years. May the pain ease just a bit as each day goes by. Cling to the beautiful photos and memories that you have, they cannot be taken from you. I pray for sweet James and his young cousins as well. May you all find the words to comfort them and explain this unhappy part of life with them. Blessing my friend. You will be in our prayers.
Thank you so much Lauren. I really appreciate your prayers and love (both publicly and privately) throughout these difficult times. I have a video of my Mom and Dad pulling up to our house in their motorcycle and it's a very happy memory.
I'm so so sorry about the loss of your Dad. What a beautiful post Megan. You don't know me but I feel like I know you from reading your blog for years now. I will send up some prayers to you and your family. God bless you.
Thank you so much. And thank you for being a long-time reader.
Grace and peace to you and your family. So sorry for your loss!
Thanks so much Kim.
What a beautiful, loving tribute to your wonderful dad. I have tears in my eyes as I type this, very touching. Remembering your and your family in my prayers
Thank you for your kind heart Cindy.
I'm so deeply sorry for your loss. It is so hard to lose anyone, but our parents sometimes seem invincible and that we will always have them. Be kind to yourself in the days, weeks, months and year ahead. Accept help when you need it, ask for help when you know you need it and just know that the tears will come at the most unexpected times. You and your family will be in my prayers!
Thank you. You sound just like me in your comment because I always tell my friends to take care of themselves and be kind to themselves. 🙂 I'm reminding my Mom of that often too.
This was beautiful. I can hardly type through the tears in my eyes. I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family.
You have a sweet spirit Leigh. Thank you for sharing your tears with me.
I'm so sorry for your loss, y'all will be in my prayers <3
Thank you Robyn.
Megan I am so sorry you lost your Father; your words are truly touching to read… you made complete strangers totally understand how special of a man he was.
Thanks Erin, that's what I was hoping. I appreciate you saying that so much.
I am so sorry to learn about your Dad's passing away. My Dad died 18 months ago. I think of him often, and miss him deeply. I give you that grief is hard and heavy stone – but time will eradicate the weight and love and hope will reduce the texture – Bless you and your family at this time and in the future as well. My prayers will be for you and your family today.
Oh Nena, I'm so sorry to hear that. It comforts me to hear from you 18 months after your loss. It gives me hope that in time, we will all be doing better. I'm continuing to live life and having a young son makes it a little easier. There's so much joy and happiness in my son's life that wants to be shared.
So very sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine what it will feel like to know that my father is gone.
Thank you for taking the time to write.
Beautifully written as another commenter has said. He would be so proud.
Thank you Shannon, I hope so.
I am so very, very sorry for your loss.
Thank you.
What a beautiful picture and tribute. So sorry for your loss.
Thank you Bridget.
Megan, I am so sorry for your loss.
Thank you Barbara.
I'm so very sorry for your loss, Megan. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God bless you all.
Thank you Kira. We so appreciate your kind words and prayers.
What a beautiful tribute to your dad. My heart breaks for you and I wish you peace and comfort during this very hard time.
Thank you Shana. It brings comfort to hear from you and other friends sending well wishes.
I am so very sorry for your loss! I was crying while reading this beautiful tribute you wrote for your dad…he would be proud! Big hugs and prayers for you! Take comfort in the fact that you had special man in your life and the he loved you and your family so greatly!
Thank you so much Vivian. To hear that you cried while reading this post really touched me. I could cry again reading your comment! Ah, tears come and go often lately and I have to accept that and just go with the moment. Thankfully, there are also smiles and laughs mixed in. Appreciate you Vivian.
So beautiful, Megan. It sounds like the world has lost a good one. I'm so sorry to hear it. I will certainly send up some prayers for you and your family. Much love, friend. xo
Thanks Michelle, I appreciate you friend.
I am so very sorry, Megan. You and your family will be in my prayers.
Laura
Thank you for this comment and ALL the sweet comments you've left on my blog over the years. I appreciate it so much.
I don't think I've commented here before but I read often. I am so so sorry for your loss. What a lovely tribute to your dad, and mom also. It sounds like you have many many happy memories to cherish. I know your pain is raw and deep now but it sounds like you have a very close and strong family unit, although it has been changed by your loss. Lean on each other through the difficult times and prop each other up. Although you are going through a terrible grief right now you are so lucky to have enjoyed such a happy family life with your dad. Your words brought me to tears. Your family are in my thoughts.
How sweet of you to come out and comment on this post especially. You are right about all the happy memories we have and also about our family staying tight. We're leaning on each other right now and I know there will be many more good times to come. I just wanted to thank you so much for taking the time to write.
I am so sorry for your loss. Deepest thoughts and prayers for you and your family. What a special man!
Thank you Julie.
Those are incredibly powerful and touching words Megan. I am so very sorry for your loss. What a beautiful example he and your mother set for you and your brothers. Wishing you much strength at this difficult time.
Thank you Jen. When someone special passes, it feels good to know their life (and even just their memory) touched someone else. I appreciate your kind words.
I'm so sorry for the loss of your dad. Your tribute to him is beautiful. Thinking of you and your family.
Thank you Brooke, I appreciate you writing.
This brought me to tears. So sorry for your loss.
Thank you Angelica.
SO BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN…..very sorry for you and your family's loss.
Thank you Maribeth.
I am so sorry for your loss. He was obviously a very special person who was truly loved.
Take care, Shelley
Yes Shelley, so very loved. Thank you.
Broken hearted for you… what a legacy of love he left behind.
Thank you Shirley. So much love in our house.
Megan I am so, so very sorry for the loss of your dad. A beautiful tribute to him. It sounds like your parents are two very special people and loved more than anything. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Thanks Tiffany. I appreciate you taking the time to write and I'm glad that the love shines through.
i am so incredibly sorry for your loss. i can only imagine the pain and suffering you and your family are dealing with at this moment in time. prayers and love sent your way.
Thank you Lacey. Your comment and those of others really does bring comfort right now.
I am so very sorry for your loss.
Thank you Mary.
I have never met you or your father but yet I can sit here and cry while reading this. Prayers with you and your family.
I'm so sorry for your loss Megan. I've been praying for your Dad and I know The Lord has your sweet, handsome father right in the palm of His hand. I pray that the beautiful memories you shared with him and your family bring peace and comfort to you. The Lord is with you always my sweet friend. XO, Desi
Thank you Desiree for your prayers. He was a handsome man. Looking forward to seeing you soon.
I'm sorry for your loss!
Thanks Madeline.
beautiful post. God will give you strength and guidance during this very difficult time.
Thank you Beth.
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful love story. I read a quote that said"share your story, that's how you keep a memory alive. You have touched my heart and this is a story I will long remember. I will keep your family in my prayers and my heart. Sending hugs
Wise words Cheryl. Thank you so much for writing.
What a loving tribute to your dad…prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Thank you Barb, I appreciate your prayers.
*HUG*
Backatcha. Thank you.
My sincerest wishes for you and your family. Hugs!
Thank you so much.
So very, very sorry. Sending prayers and love to your and your family during this time.
Amy, thank you so much.
I am never lonely for my dad…I can close my eyes and see him..I can pass a counter at a store and smell him. I can hear his laugh and see him use his tongue to play with his mustache. His hands are in my brothers body and the twinkle in his eye is right in the mirror. You will never be without him..all you have to do is look…or close your eyes and go to him. Prayers for peaceful heart.
I can see so clearly too. I'm sorry for the loss we share. So glad to hear that you have found peace, it gives me hope for our family.
So sorry to read this Meagan. What a beautiful tribute to both your parents
Thank you Jo. And you share my mom's name:)
What a beautiful tribute. Your father was a very handsome man. I am so sorry for your loss.
Thanks for saying so, hope you are doing well over there.
Your dad sounds like an amazing man. I am so sorry for your loss and am sending hugs and prayers your way. xoxo
Thanks Sarah, we appreciate your hugs and prayers.
Megan, what an absolutely beautiful tribute. You and your family are in my prayers.
Thank you Katie. That you took time to write means a lot.
Megan….wow. Tears! What an incredibly touching tribute. Wow. I'm thinking of you and your family – especially your mom, as I can only imagine is struggling the most. Prayers and love from SF.
xo,
Sam
Yes, my mom is taking it the hardest, but still being strong. I appreciate your sweet thoughts for her especially. I will stay close to her definitely. She finds lots of joy in her grandchildren. Good medicine. Thank you Sam.
What a beautitful and heartfelt tribute to you dad. My sincere condonlences.
Thank you Cathy.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Praying peace and comfort for you and your family and that your sweet memories are a balm to soul.
Thank you Jenny. I appreciate you!
My most sincere condolences. May God's love and light surround you and your family during this difficult time, and may memories of your father bring some comfort. Rose
Rose, I appreciate your words so much. All we can do is keep on living and let God heal our wounded hearts. Thank you for taking the time to write.
Beautiful words! You are very blessed to have parents like that.
Thank you Kim, I agree!
I am so very sorry for your loss, Megan. My prayer are with you during this difficult time.
Thank you so much!
Megan, I've been reading your blog for years now and have seen how you've expressed your feelings about your dad. My heart is heavy because I know how much this hurts and your readers appreciate you sharing and being open about something so personal. Beautiful words. Prayers to you and your family.
Thank you for reading and writing. I have only said a little bit before about what was happening in our lives, so I appreciate you caring enough to write. I try to always stay positive and sharing this has been good for me because I've received support beyond what I could imagine. YOU are part of that support. Thank you!
Thoughts and prayers for you and your family!
Thank you Ann.
I lost my father on 16th of March. I feel the same pain. you are not alone
Oh Jasmina. I'm so sorry for your loss too. I appreciate you letting me know I'm not alone, neither are you.
Prayers for you and your family! So sorry for your loss!
Thank you so much, I appreciate you.
These words, memories and feelings will bring anyone to tears. I am so sorry for your loss and hope that each day becomes a bit easier. You have gained the most beautiful angel. Xo, Stephanie
So very sorry for your loss. Cherish the memories.
Hi Megan, Im so sorry this is late. I had to tell you that I thought your post was so beautiful and touching. I don't know what you are going through but my heart breaks for you. Keep praying and God will help you through this. May he rest in Peace.