A Great Patriarch

[Traveler]

A great patriarch has crossed through the vale between physical life and the realm of spirits. I was raised in the home of a patriarch like unto Abraham. A man of righteousness, faith, principle and undeviating loyalty. A short story of the faith of my father. He was a man of substance and therefore a target of many charlatans. Because of his means he and several other prominent business men were being sued for a great some of money for practicing unfair and unethical business practices. At the time I was working for my father and knew the charges were unfounded. I urged my father to pursue an aggressive defense including hiring a top notch lawyer. All of which he refused indicating that honesty and truth would be his defense.

I tried to explain to him that in the courts of men, often unjust settlements are made. He responded that if they took his coat he would give them his cloak also. I was certain that the woman suing him had no principles. I went with my father to court for support. Other than me he went alone without even considering council. As we arrived in the court room he faced his accuser for what he thought was their first meeting. The lady gasped as she saw him enter the court and turned to her lawyer saying to drop all charges against my father. She then came to my father and wept before him asking him for forgiveness - she said that she did not know that it was him she was suing. It turns out that 6 months before he had stopped to help a lady stranded on the side of the road. He had paid to have her car fixed and for some food and lodging and it turned out to be the same lady. At that time she had told him that she had never know of such a kind and giving person.

For several months I have spend one night a week helping mother care for my father. It was his wish to stay at home and not in a care facility and mother could not do this herself. There were medical professionals paid to come and help but as a family we offered the support and love due a patriarch. About three weeks ago he was unable to feed himself and this last week he could no longer eat and keep his food. The last few days I have taken my gathered family to spend some last moments. One of my daughters and a son sang to him. My brothers, myself and my sons anointed and blessed him (more than once). My sister that had thought of herself as outcast from the family because of some bad choices in life. She is a nurse and cared for him tirelessly reestablishing their relationship and bringing my sister back to a full loving family relationship. All but one brother were present at his passing (a delayed flight made him 3 hours late). He passed during a song as my daughter, son and a sister-in-law sang. They will sing to him one last time at the funeral. We had a family prayer and comforted our mother.

A great patriarch, having kept the faith all of his days, has returned to his L-rd and G-d.

The Traveler

[cynyclsgirl]

A great patriarch has crossed through the vale between physical life and the realm of spirits. I was raised in the home of a patriarch like unto Abraham. A man of righteousness, faith, principle and undeviating loyalty. A short story of the faith of my father. He was a man of substance and therefore a target of many charlatans. Because of his means he and several other prominent business men were being sued for a great some of money for practicing unfair and unethical business practices. At the time I was working for my father and knew the charges were unfounded. I urged my father to pursue an aggressive defense including hiring a top notch lawyer. All of which he refused indicating that honesty and truth would be his defense.

I tried to explain to him that in the courts of men, often unjust settlements are made. He responded that if they took his coat he would give them his cloak also. I was certain that the woman suing him had no principles. I went with my father to court for support. Other than me he went alone without even considering council. As we arrived in the court room he faced his accuser for what he thought was their first meeting. The lady gasped as she saw him enter the court and turned to her lawyer saying to drop all charges against my father. She then came to my father and wept before him asking him for forgiveness - she said that she did not know that it was him she was suing. It turns out that 6 months before he had stopped to help a lady stranded on the side of the road. He had paid to have her car fixed and for some food and lodging and it turned out to be the same lady. At that time she had told him that she had never know of such a kind and giving person.

For several months I have spend one night a week helping mother care for my father. It was his wish to stay at home and not in a care facility and mother could not do this herself. There were medical professionals paid to come and help but as a family we offered the support and love due a patriarch. About three weeks ago he was unable to feed himself and this last week he could no longer eat and keep his food. The last few days I have taken my gathered family to spend some last moments. One of my daughters and a son sang to him. My brothers, myself and my sons anointed and blessed him (more than once). My sister that had thought of herself as outcast from the family because of some bad choices in life. She is a nurse and cared for him tirelessly reestablishing their relationship and bringing my sister back to a full loving family relationship. All but one brother were present at his passing (a delayed flight made him 3 hours late). He passed during a song as my daughter, son and a sister-in-law sang. They will sing to him one last time at the funeral. We had a family prayer and comforted our mother.

A great patriarch, having kept the faith all of his days, has returned to his L-rd and G-d.

The Traveler

Hey Traveler

thanks for sharing a moment of your time about your dad, to live amoungst an Patriarch is a great blessing he lived the way the Savior wanted him too. now I hear the heavens echo "well done my faithful servant"

I to sang to my mother as she lay in a hospital bed dying on a christmas morning. what a peaceful way to go is to hear your children sing to you!

God Bless You and your Family

a fellow saint

[begood2]

Traveler,

Your post was both sad and beautiful. I will pray for strength and comfort for your family during this difficult time.

[Ray]

Wow. That was awesome, Traveler. I'd love to have memories like that with my Dad. :)