LETTER OF LOVE I just wanted to share
with my family the beautiful stone that my Mother had created for my
father. It is a true testament to his personality. We continue to
celebrate the joy and love that he gave to our lives. His love for
hunting, fishing, and wildlife were just a small part of his persona that could
not be denied. He was and still is one of a kind. His laughter still
warms our hearts, his smiles brighten our dreams, and his spirit still unites
us. My father, so perfectly human in every way, was bigger than
life. Not because he was perfect, but because he owned up to being
perfectly human, meticulously flawed. He found a certain kind of
contentment within himself. He accepted who he was and strived to be consistent
in living out his beliefs. Pride was not a boastful word of arrogances
for my father; it was a walk, a standard, a presentation of education,
responsibility, family, heritage, and success.
Family was important to my father. Discovering his father's side of the
family was something that brought him much joy. He would often ask,
"Do you know who you are? You are Fred Collins' child." He
would then go on to tell us of his childhood, how he was raised always showing
more remorse for the time not shared with loved ones, than for the absences of
worldly possessions. It's funny; I am still discovering just how powerful
those lessons were. I had no idea that I would miss him so much. I had no
idea of how important family would become to me. I had no idea of the
wondrous family he blessed me with. I remember my father getting newsletters
from Aunt Mary, reading them, and enjoying every moment. I remember
hearing about graduations, jobs, weddings and babies wishing I could put faces
to names. He enjoyed the reunites that he had the opportunity to attend
and looked forward to any time he could spend with family.
I know he just loves this site as we do. Thank you for remembering us
even when we forget who we are. Keep us in your prayers for you are in
our hearts.
Meshryl Wright   |