It is with greatest sorrow that I share the news that the day after we moved here to Cape Cod, my beloved Dad died suddenly, quickly, peacefully.
We are crushed. Tim and I were so looking forward to this season of doing life with him and my mom. But even in the midst of the shock and the whirlwind of decisions and phone calls and planning is that ever-present peace that passes understanding.
God knows. He loves us so. He cares. He cradles us close. He bears our grief, he carries our sorrows.
I share with you a tribute I wrote to Dad two years ago. And the obituary and memorial service arrangements are below.
Please, my friends, pray for our family.
* * *
June 2013 ...
I hold you close and stretch my arm way out, camera in hand. We're still making memories whenever we can. And I want to capture this celebration before we dive into great huge bowls of chocolate ice cream on the most gorgeous Cape Cod day ever. Before we laugh the sunny afternoon away as we fill the newly painted window boxes with multi-hued petunias and patch the driveway and cut the rhubarb. Before we sit and watch the birds explore the bird house and someone who shall remain nameless tracks driveway tar onto the light aqua carpeting. Before the evening falls and the breeze cools and we watch TV at ear-piercing levels and talk politics and books and you share ancient photos and vividly-detailed stories from Scotland in the century past.
We all know you never expected to hit this milestone. Ah ... but God had other plans, and here you are, moving around on your own two feet and in your right mind. Wisdom still comes from your heart and your vast life experience. You still break into hearty song on a moment's notice ... and I realize in the writing of this that my sister and I do the same. For the nuts didn't fall far from the tree, did they ...
You still prize hard work and an eye to detail, even though you might be moving just a tad slower. Your eyes are quick to fill at the most sensitive of moments. You make us laugh ... and yes, we both continue to make each other crazy from time to time.
And when you confidently pound on heaven's doors in perfect King James English, I know our Redeemer listens. You have shown us how to be faithful to Him and to each other.
Please know I value your wise counsel more than ever. And I know I'm not the only one. So please rejoice in this season because your legacy is living on, even as we speak. Through your children. Children's children. And children's children's children.
How good is God!
I love you, Daddy ~
JOHN HALLIDAY BLACKIE
1928 - 2015
