Our celebration of your life and love

Friday, February 16, 2018, we celebrated your life and the love you have for all of us.  I refuse to speak in past tense, Dad.  I just can't do it. You may be in a different form, but you're still you.  A good friend of mine offered me this advice:

I once asked my good friend and rather genius science teacher what he thought about that and he simply said, "energy is neither created nor destroyed. Your dad's energy has to be somewhere."

Since there was no nuclear reaction, neither mass nor energy were created nor destroyed. So you are here - just not in the same form.  Though, I surely wish you were hear with us, in the same form you've always been - but one that can breath easily and is without pain.  

Well, back to Friday.  We celebrated your life with Mass at St. Anthony Church in Northvale. Fr. Jerry did a wonderful job with the homily, using the tributes we sent him to portray you as the man you are... the one who was always willing to see the best in everyone, who never forgot anyone, who never spoke ill of anyone.  

We picked Scripture passages that spoke to us - of love, of food and sharing bread, and of the hope of eternal life together.  Jennie picked the Old Testament reading:
⁶ On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare
    a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine—
    the best of meats and the finest of wines.
⁷ On this mountain he will destroy
    the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;
⁸     he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears
    from all faces;
he will remove his people’s disgrace
    from all the earth.
The Lord has spoken.

- Isaiah 25: 6-8

I picked the New Testament reading:
⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

- Acts  2: 42-47

And Fr. Jerry picked the Gospel reading:

³⁴ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. ³⁵ By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

- John 13: 34-35

We are so proud of Mom.  She hadn't planned to get up to offer a eulogy, but she did.  I stood by her as she thanked those who came to honor you, as she spoke of your kindness and love.  And then Christopher, wearing one of your flannel shirts, joined us on the altar.  Roberta and Jennie both gave their eulogies also, telling stories of you fixing cars and driving them here and there - on long windy roads.  And wishing for just one more ride.  Yes, Dad, its really hard to let go.

Well Mom and Steve took you to the luncheon via - what else - but your Model A!

At the luncheon, Brenda, the hospice chaplain said grace and Erica sang your song.  I'll post the video when Roberta sends it to me.  

And then at the end of the day, we celebrated your life and love with Bischoff's sundaes - because your celebration would not be complete without ice cream. 

Love you, Dad!!!!