Alive

Towards the end of my run this morning, I heard these lyrics through my iPod.

Everyday is a new day
I’m thankful for every breath I take
I won’t take it for granted
So I learn from my mistakes
It’s beyond my control, sometimes it’s best to let go
Whatever happens in this lifetime
So I trust in love
You have given me peace of mind

I couldn’t help but think of my Dad and the excitement he held as he faced each day he was alive. I know there will be many things that will remind me of Dad, things that will make me stop and think about him, and things that will bring tears without warning in the days, weeks, and months ahead. But this morning I found peace in these lyrics and comfort in the memory of a man who had learned to live the lyrics that so many others just sing and dream about.

Every day is a new day.  Although many things in this life are predictable and we oftentimes feel we are somehow trapped by our routines, you learned to approach each day with the wonder of a child.  Not exactly sure what might happen, but expecting something that would be an experience, create a memory and bring joy. That is enough to wake up for every day because every day is a new day.

I’m thankful for every breath I take.  It is hard to see through the pain right now, but I am so thankful that I never doubted your love for me and that you never wondered if I loved you. I will make sure I never miss an opportunity to tell my family and friends how much I love them and what they mean to me. Because you taught me this, I am thankful for every breath I take.

I won’t take it for granted. I will follow in your footsteps. I will do what I can to create experiences and make memories with those I love. You taught us that a treasure chest full of experiences and memories is so much more valuable than a chest filled with the possessions of this world. You taught this lesson well and I won’t take it for granted.

So I learn from my mistakes.  One of the greatest things that I have heard people say about my Dad was how he changed over the years. To understand this completely you would have to have known my Dad. My Dad learned from the mistakes others made that impacted him negatively. He also learned from his own mistakes that impacted others. These lessons were often quiet and without fanfare, but they were there and if you knew Dad, you saw him change over the years, you saw him in so many ways get better.  There was no denying that there were areas where Dad was classified as old-fashioned, but there were so many more ways in which he was very current, a part of the generation in which he lived.  Your mistakes do not define you, they tell you who you’re not. I am so thankful for the living lesson that you taught us here. So I learn from my mistakes.

It’s beyond my control, sometimes it’s best to let go whatever happens in this lifetime.  You taught us all that life is too short to live with regrets. Life is too short to live with grudges. Life is too short to live with shame or guilt. Life is too short to allow such pettiness to interfere or damage the relationships you have spent a lifetime nurturing. So if it’s beyond my control, sometimes it’s best to let go whatever happens in this lifetime.

So I trust in love.  Love was the foundation of our relationship. Love is why you always expressed your pride in me. Love is why we smiled when we were together. Love is why you understood me. Love is why I understood you. Love is why my heart breaks that you’re not here. Only love can leave such a mark. Only love can heal such a scar. I believe this so I trust in love.

You have given me peace of mind.  Dad, you lived your life with a trust and a faith in God that was undeniable. This faith in the God who created you and the trust you placed in His Son as your savior allowed you to live your life with an amazing peace of mind. I live with hope today because I too have this same trust and faith in God and His Son as my savior.  As I finished my run this morning, it was this hope that brought peace. I know this peace comes from God, but this morning I felt it was delivered by God through the memory of you. You have given me peace of mind.

You have finished your race and it was a good run.

Thanks for running with me this morning. It was a good run and I enjoyed you being with me.

As long as I’m alive, so will your memory!

See you next time!

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