A year. It’s hard to believe. My father, who had been so present in our lives, so loving vital and supportive, is no longer with us. In many ways this past year seems to have flown by like so many before and at the same time, seems to have ticked by as slowly as a clock on the last day of school. Event after event: birthdays, celebrations, family gatherings, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, anniversaries; all painfully ticked off as if counting days in prison. Each event holding so many memories and feelings of joy and sorrow.
In this past year, I, as I know many, have felt a hole in my life that Dad’s passing has left. I still find it hard to believe that when I turn into that driveway on Maine Street my
Dad won’t be at the door with his welcoming smile, open arms and that sparkle in his eye as he greeted us. The hole he left in my life is immense; yet, I now feel his presence with me like I have never before. Now, in times of sadness and strife, happiness and joy, I feel him right here with me. And while I will always miss his warm embracing hugs, his beautiful contagious smile, the joyful twinkle in his eyes, his unwavering support and love, his laughter, his voice, his compassion and wisdom, his eagerness to hear what is new in my life, where there is growth in my life and how Spirit has made Itself present in my life… an endless list that we all know when someone we love so deeply has departed, while I will always miss that part of him, I now feel him with me always. I know he is here guiding me, loving me and supporting me beyond ways he did while on this plane.
Yes, my father’s death has left a hole in my heart but in that opening, his presence has expanded, and when I look, I feel him as never before, always there, always loving, always eyes sparkling.
We miss you Dad.
Mark
Thanks for sharing this, Mark!
Ward loved you very much, and I’m honored to have known him. I am also excited to see his great lagacy passed on thru you to the rest of the family.
With love and support,
Brian and Lisa
Wonderful thoughts, Mark! Thanks for sharing.
Gerry Porter
Thank you, Mark. Your description of your Dad brings him back to me too. He has appeared to me in several dreams over the year. Peace, Lynn Runnells
ward was such a wonderful friend and neighbor . When I return to the port for a visit this summer I will think of him and my dearly departed Husband Paul Cauchon. I have wonderful memories of Ward and Paul visiting in the yard as Ward walked his dog. Joanne…i look forward to seeing you in July. With much love and warm rememberances…he will always be with you. Dot
what a llovely message and how wonderful of you to share it. Mark. I understand your words so very well. I also feel the presence so very strongly of those who have gone physically. The goodness, the kindness, and joyful heart of your father is with all of us to treasure forever……and indeed his spirit not only lives on but continues day after day, week after week, month after month to warm our hearts and help us see what is truly important in life.
my(our) love to you, your mother and family as you remember and relive the joy of Ward. thanks so much again for sharing your heart.
Effie(and Bob) Stewart
Dear Mark,
What a wonderful reflection, testimonial, heartfelt commentary. It made me remember Ward with great fondness and also brought a tear to my eye as I remembered my own parents. You’re right about them continuing to be here with us. Now we are the generation trying to carry the wisdom and the welcoming arms to all the others in the circle of family and friends–passing on all we have learned by knowing them and being loved by them.
peg Voss Howard (St. Andrews)
Just yesterday, when we received the baseball picture of Sam with his team-mates, my Mom stated, “Oh my goodness! Do you know who Sam looks so much like with those thick eyebrows and beautiful smile? Ward.” She is right! Through the year, I have often thought of all of you, especially Leslie, as she is such a beautiful part of my family. Ward certainly lives on with his enthusiasm for life and infectious smile through his children and grandchildren! I’m sure he had that twinkle in his eye when Sam hit that huge home-run yesterday, and I’m sure he was whispering to Sam,”Hey buddy, think you’d better start thinking about the Red Sox!!! ” Just kidding, Sam!
Mark, you write so well, and it is hard to believe that a year has gone by! I pray for all of you, and may you continue to love life and live life to the fullest as your father so lovingly taught you. I know that your Mom has that same conviction in living life also… God Bless you all.
Much love and friendship,
Lynn
Yes Mark,a whole year has gone by since your dear father was called home.
Thank you for sharing your deeply moving thoughts and words.
If we love someone very deeply that person never leaves us,they are part of our hearts.
We will always miss them,but I discovered during the past ten years that I learned more about the other and I also learned more about myselfe.
The life of your father will bear much fruit in the lifes of all in your loving family.
With gratitude,love and peace,Jutta.
Oh Mark,
Your oh so sweet and true words/experiences are a portal for which we can all experience Ward. Thank you so much for helping me to strongly feel his loving presence surround me. Your clarity about his twinkle, compassion, wisdom and eagernees to love, are what touched me.
Ward enlivened others “gifts of the Spirit” through his own…
I am forever grateful for his “fatherly” mark on my life.
Love and gentle blessings to you and your family,
Marya
Dear Mark,
Yours was the ultimate, archtypal, loving Fathers’ Day message and it authentically reflected to me the eternal power of Love over all separation. It rings true to my own sense of loss and eventual integration. Ward’s essence is ever more active in the ways he broadly touched and influenced our lives. Thank you for your generousity of spirit in sharing your experience of this past year. Blessings of love to you and your entire family.
Sarah
Dear Mark and lovely Gamble Family, Your message is beautiful, Mark, and it sums up your Dad so well. We miss him especially on this one year anniversary.
Every time Sterl and I are at St. Andrew’s we go into the Guild Room solely to see your dad’s magnificent portrait. His “eyes do twinkle” and we get warmth and strength in looking at him. Both Sterl and I love you very much and I hope that you will pas this love on to Mom and your families. Warm wishes and love, Jane and Sterling Rowe
and The Three Walton Boys, David, Kenny and Michael
Loved reading your thoughts Mark … feeling very blessed to have had your dad in my life … feeling blessed to have the Gamble family in my life … take care and enjoy each day …
.