Penns Landing Memorial for Vets

It was comforting enjoying the warmth of this beautiful day at Penns Landing where they have a memorial erected for Veterans who fought in the war. My dad was an air force veteran. I felt good being there. I now like being around things associated with my father. I even visited the Liberty Bell today. LOL I think I am going to look into seeing the cost to have daddy's name engraved on one of those tiles at the memorial. Stay tuned... Love you Daddy!

I am missing you daddy.

I went to the Jersey shore for 3 days with my family. It was bittersweet daddy because you were not there but I was there for the both of us. I thought of you when I saw Philips in the mall because I remember the last time we were in Atlantic City together we had seafood combos and we sat on the third floor overlooking the ocean talking to one another enjoying the food. Oh how I wish we could do that again. The Philips take out on the boardwalk is only open on the weekends so I could not get a crab cake sandwich. We are trying to make it through each day in your absence but we will never ever forget you. The workman were beginning to set it up the cabanas on the beach were you use to love to sit and listen to the jazz music. I seem to be able to find something that points to you everyday, everywhere I go, and whatever I do. I just miss you.

In honor and memory of Dad...

This one arrived Thursday.

This one is due Monday.

Remembering Dad: Turning pain into peace

There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about my dad. How do you get use to the idea of something not being here that was for 51 years?
I must learn to cope the best that I know how. I must resume life. Mind you, its not easy. You have to become inventive with your emotions. You have shuffle your feelings to keep on smiling, to keep on moving, to continue to live. My dad meant the world to me and I cherished the fact that he was still with me in my 50's when most of my friends had lost their dads and moms at an early age. I am blessed that I had an earthly father for 51 years. He was my tall and broad shouldered hero. He is the man that I set standards for other men up against. My dad was some kinda fella. No, I didn't say he was perfect but he was one of kind, a dad that wasn't on the run. He was a father who stayed and endured for his wife and child. He watched closely over those he loved and gave all the he could to see that we were not without. Not only did he give many decades of his life to the city of Philadelphia but he gave just as much to his family. He is in the class of the hard working fathers like my husband who went to work every day tired or not and pushed on to be provider as well as protector. I still remember him running the neighborhood boys away from our front stoop and staring with hardness at any of them when they looked to long over at our porch if I was sitting outside. Daddy was no joke when it came to his little girl. LOL, There is so much I can say about my dad. I could write a book. Girls look up to their fathers. He is the role model and guideline she uses for every man that tries to court her. Boys grow up wanting to be like dad and they too watch and learn how to treat the women they will approach in the future. So many homes are minus fathers today and the mothers have to wear two hats when it comes to raising them and she does the best that she can to guide him into manhood in the absence of a male figure (dad).

I spend most of my days staying as busy as I can and resting in between. I find now that peace continues to surround me when I continue to mention my dad daily. I don't know how many stores I have gone into that I have had conversations about him with someone. When I find some way to incorporate him into my day it helps tremendously. Not forgetting is what keeps me going. I don't want to forget about him. I don't want to not see his picture or something that reminds me of him. The only thing I still have a little trouble with is the music. I now like to glance at westerns and eat his favorite ice cream (cherry vanilla) because I know he loved it. When I watch Charlie Brown I think of him, it is one of our favorite cartoons. I remember when daddy use to buy me the peanuts coloring books.

I remember my dad being my knight. If he felt I was unjustly treated he would always go to bat for me up against anybody. I remember him being my shield. when I wanted to go places and do things that he felt would put me in harms way he would decline my request to go or be a part of it. When I would ask why I couldn't his reply would always be "because I said so". I was a mess at times but my father had patience in handling me when sometimes I might have needed a hard jolt back into reality or punishment because of my mouth. LOL, I remember how my heart would jump when he would pick me up after school everyday from child care. when I would see him walk into the room I knew it was time to go home. We would talk all the way to the front door. I think most of the time it was me doing most of the talking, LOLLLLLLLLLLL These are the things that make me beam with pride, fill my heart with joy, and produce laughter from my spirit. I love remembering. I don't want to forget. Don't get me started on holidays, summer events and visits to see my grandparents. Yeah, I am going to have to write a book, LOL. Even me writing this right now is great therapy for me, its another way of remembering and sharing with others a little of the joy that he brought into my life. I love you daddy.

God can move you to do the impossible.

In life we will be presented with obstacles that we feel we cant get over or get through but the Lord said with him all things are possible. When we begin to focus on exactly that and what God is able to do we will be amazed at how he can turn those impossibilities and into possibilities. God can transform you into the person you never thought you could see yourself becoming. Many love taking credit for situations and things but the truth is had it not been for God you would not be able to do much of anything let alone have what you have. This is why we must remain humble and grateful to God for every blessing. I am a witness to the fact that God has done some transforming in my life. I dont profess to be perfect other than in Christ Jesus but I can give testimony that he has brought about changes in me. I look at things so differently than I use to. I handle situations in a manner unlike I once did. Some may say I over think some situations before diving in head first but isnt that what God says we should do. We are to be discerning and to test spirits first. If it feels wrong then more than likely it is. A sure fire way in handling a situation is to go to the Word. What does God say? Is your approach in rectifying things in line with the word or are you handling it your way? We should not let our thoughts or the world's views the matter mandate how we should handle a situation. God has a plan and life will present tests just to see how you handle them. Will you trust God or are you own logic?

I remember when my Dad passed a week before Christmas. It was one of the hardest things I ever had to rap myself around, figure out how to go forward, and what to do next. I knew it wasn't going to be easy but I knew with God all things were possible. He can help you get through the inconceivable. God is who keeps me going and knowing what his word says. My daddy was a tough cookie but that was because he loved me and I loved him more. I dont believe in my heart that he was without knowing that God was real and Jesus provided help. I remember giving him a cross and telling him that things would not always be this way and God was going to make it better. I was bold enough to say this because of God. Daddy kept that cross with him because when he would switch hospitals or go to rehab that cross would always be on the table beside his bed, thank you Jesus. The last time I spent with my father at my parents home he had it on his bedside table. I will never forget two things; when he called on Jesus at Temple Hospital and when he picked it up and layed it across his lap and looked at it that final day I spent with him at the home he shared with my mom for over 4 decades. I sensed things would be taking a turn when I saw this but I continued to trust God. I say all this to get to this final point about impossibilities turning into possibilities.

It was the day of my Dad's homegoing service which was two days after Christmas. As I sat by my mom's side listening to the service there was a call for persons to come to the stage to share something about my dad. I immediately knew I wanted to, truth be told the thought didnt just pop in my head right then and there. Days leading up to the 27th of December I wondered if I could ever get the nerve to speak. I often thought it might not be a good idea because I am going to be to emotional and embarrass myself on stage in a blob of tears but when she called for volunteers I said there is no way I cannot go up. I know the scripture says "with God all things are possible" so I kept that at the forefront of my mind and reached over and asked my youngest daughter if she would walk up with me and she did. I remember being up there and keeping my eyes and mind focused on God and I spoke. At first I kept my head down and off the crowd because I didnt think I could lift it but then the more I spoke the more confidence God gave me and I remember speaking from his word, about my Dad, and then to my mother and at that point my head was completely upright looking across the crowd. As I left the stage I gave God the glory for what he had done for me. I would not have been able to do it apart from him. I say all this to say trust God for the impossible then give him the glory for turning your impossibilities into possibilities.

The beginning of my memory garden for dad

Dad's Obituary

Here is the poem I wrote for the inside of my Dad's Obituary:

To my Family

No more pain, no more sorrow
no more worrying about tomorrow
Heaven is my home.

I fought as hard as I could,
my family I did not want to leave,
but God said enough is enough
and my soul he did receive.

I will miss my beautiful wife
who I've loved for 53 years,
you did all you could so baby no more tears.

My daughter and grandchildren,
I love you with all my heart.
Let not your spirit be too heavy,
I will always be with you right in your heart.

To my buddies,
who cared about me til the end,
it was a joy to spend time with you
and call each of you a friend.

Although my address has now changed
and we no longer share physical space,
don't feel bad about this because
I am in a better place.

Just hold on to your memories of me,
they will keep me near and continue
to live and I will see you when you get here.

Chuck.....

written by his daughter,
Sherri C. Walker