Saturday, December 5, 2015

My Father’s Gift

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson


Today I’m embarking on a new chapter in my life. Yesterday, my dad won his battle with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. It might not have been the way we wished, but there was victory as he left this earth with Jesus to an eternal life without pain.

In honor of the man he was, I’d share a little bit about him. Where my mom is an artist, creating works of art, Jim Mahoney is a photographer. His gift is to take something visible to everyone and show us what we missed. His black and white photographs have won him awards in numerous shows and been displayed in galleries around the country. 

And this was his second creative career.

While I was growing up, my dad was a classical musician, trained in the era of big bands. He played in the Dallas Symphony, as well as taught music at our local college, University of Texas at Arlington. 

Even while he was pursuing his music career, he was strengthening his vision with a camera. As a child, I remember many vacations when he’d let me accompany him before dawn to be in place to capture breathtaking sunrise shots from places like the Grand Canyon.

And through it all, he constantly encouraged me to discover my own strengths and explore life from the paths I chose. Neither of my parents ever dictated career or life paths, but instead chose to equip us with what we needed to find our own way. And those gifts, especially the courage to do what we love, are some of the most valuable I’ve ever received. 

In the past few years, my dad has taught me how to face adversity with grace and humor. As we watched him slowly show the signs of this catastrophic disease, he kept his sense of humor. In later years, he found new ways to show us his love,  just through the pressure of his hand or the twinkle in his eyes. The disease may have taken his voice and his ability to remember everything, but it didn’t defeat him.

Through it all, he reveled in the fact that he’d spend  eternity with his Lord, Jesus Christ and with his family. It was my honor to give him comfort as he left this world, just like he cradled me as I entered this one.

Goodbye Daddy, I’ll see you soon!


41 comments:

  1. Oh, Edie, my prayers and sympathies are with you. May I offer my deepest condolences. It's apparent from your poignant tribute where your amazing giftedness comes from. Art wears many faces, and your ability to paint word pictures follows well in your father's artistic footsteps. He sounds like an amazing man. Thank you for sharing him with us today. Praying for you and yours.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Edie, I hurt with you. My beloved husband of 53 years showed God’s Grace through suffering with Alzheimer’s. He was a great physician and belonged to the Great Physician. He went home to be with our Lord on Christmas Eve, 2013. Hug your mom for me. It’s hard but wouldn’t it be sad if we didn’t suffer from so great a loss?

    ReplyDelete
  3. My deepest sympathies, Edie. My father also had Alzheimer's. It's so tough to watch. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Edie, my heart aches for your loss. Your memories and the art passed on to you will live forever to glorify God. I'm wrapping my arms around you and sending prayers for comfort.

    ReplyDelete
  5. My prayers for your family have gone heavenward.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Praying for you and your family. Your father sounds like someone I would have enjoyed meeting and being friends with. What a gift and treasure he was and still is.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you for sharing your father with us; what a wonderful legacy he leaves! Praying for you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  8. My heart goes out for you right now - what an amazing man and an incredible legacy. I wish I could give you a million hugs. Please know my prayers are with you and your framily.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Edie, my mom died of Alzheimer's, too. My heart and prayers are with you as you travel this new path of losing a parent. Well, not losing. He's moved to Heaven, where one day you'll move and see him again. God be with you and comfort you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Edie, your father left a beautiful legacy--you!
    Prayers for strength are being sent your way during these days of meeting needs beyond your grief.
    The comfort of the Lord be with you.

    ReplyDelete
  11. So sorry for your loss, Edie. It's clear he
    lived a rich life and was deeply loved.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Edie, our prayers are with you and your family. What a beautiful eulogy!
    You are loved,
    Elva Cobb Martin, Pres. ACFW-SC Chapter

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh, Edie. I just prayed for you and for your family. Thanks for sharing your father's story here.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I wish I could answer each comment individually (like I teach) but I'm pressed for time and exhausted. Your comments are so precious and truly mean so much. I feel your prayers and while I'm sad, I'm also rejoicing. Please know I love and value each of you! Love & Blessings, E

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so sorry for your loss, Edie. I know it's been a long road and am sure you're exhausted. Please take care of yourself in the coming days and weeks ahead.

      Delete
  15. Candice and I are praying for you, Kirk, your mother, and sister. We love you and are here for you, whatever you need. God bless you all with His Peace and Comfort.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Lifting your whole family in prayer, my friend. So very sorry and such a lovely post. xo

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am so sorry for your loss Edie. This is a wonderful post. What a blessing it is to have a wonderful earthly father. My prayers are with you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm so sorry for your loss. We have a recent Alzheimer's diagnoses in our family ... my precious mother-in-law. I've walked that path with friends, but now it's our turn. I'm lifting you up, for rest and God's peace that passes all understanding.

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a beautiful tribute to your dad. I'm sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Dearest Edie, such a beautiful tribute. Prayers cover you and your dear family during this difficult time of loss.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Edie, I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing what a special dad your father was.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh, Edie, my heart goes out to you. I sat by my mom's side last Dec. (the 19th) and watched her step into the arms of her Savior. I will never forget it. I am praying for you and your family, as you rejoice that he is going to have the best Christmas ever, face to face with Jesus, but saddened at the loss of your dad on this earth. I know how to pray. Love you, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Edie, what a beautiful tribute to your daddy. Although I thought I knew a lot about him, I had somehow missed that he was a photographer. Now I have an even better picture of where your talent comes from! He was so proud of you, just as I know you're so proud of him. I praise God for His love and mercy, and for His precious gift to you of leading your daddy to grace through our Savior. Heaven truly gets sweeter by the day. We love you and are praying for all of you!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Edie, this is such a beautiful testament to your dad. He sounds like he was simply amazing. I'm holding you close to my heart in prayer.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Edie, sending prayers for your comfort. I am so sorry. As a classically trained musician, I look forward to making beautiful music with your father when I arrive in Heaven. It will be my honor to meet him.

    ReplyDelete
  26. That's a beautiful tribute to your dad, Edie. He will live on in your heart. You have my prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I feel your pain, Edie. My Mom passed into the arms of Jesus last February. Our parents' legacy continues through us now. Let's echo them well.
    Take time to grieve.
    Hugs and prayers. Wade

    ReplyDelete
  28. What a beautiful memorial! Your father gave everyone who knows you a wonderful gift as well when he taught you to follow your creative calling. Praying for your family and thankful that we do not grieve as those who have no hope. <3

    ReplyDelete
  29. Sometimes words are not enough. Sending you a hundred cyber hugs. Love you always.

    ReplyDelete
  30. So sorry for your loss. What a beautiful memorial to a life full of beauty.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Oh, I love the way you ended this! You're so lucky to know you'll see your dad again. Praying peace and comfort over you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  32. This is beautiful, Edie. So sorry about your dad's passing. Praying for you and family. Thankful we in Christ do not grieve as those without hope. We WILL see loved ones again one day. We will.

    ReplyDelete
  33. His legacy will endure through your family. Thank you for sharing about him and his perseverance till the end. Prayers for you and the days ahead.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Edie, I'm so sorry for your loss. But thank you for sharing what kind of person he was. I see his creativity in you, in your own photography as well as your writing. He must have been very proud of you for following your own creative style. And now He will celebrate Christmas with the One whom we're celebrating, praise the Lord.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I'm so sorry, Edie. This post is a beautiful tribute to him. I know you made him proud. Love and hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Sending you much love, Edie. I didn't realize that your beautiful photography was a glimpse of your father's talent, too.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Your words about your dad are beautiful, Edie. When I read this, I recalled running into you a month ago at Atlanta Bread and hearing you say your NaNoWriMo start would be delayed because you were helping your parents. That touched me--to see the way you put them first without any complaints. You have honored your father and loved well. My heart and prayers are with you.

    ReplyDelete
  38. So very sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Thank you for sharing a glimpse of his life through this beautiful tribute.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love you too, and I know you've got a lot on your mind. But know that my family is praying for you, and tell us what you need. I wish I lived closer, but may God comfort your heart and be with you and your loved ones. This was a special post about your dad. He sounds legendary, and I look forward to meeting him one day.

    ReplyDelete