November 28: I'm thankful for...

This post has been a long time coming.  Five years to be exact.  I've felt compelled to write about Dad, but have mostly put it off.  On his birthday or every November 28, I chicken out and don't write anything.

November 28, 2007

Five Years
It's crazy to think what's happened in the last five years.  Dad passed away at the end of my first semester at North Greenville University.  Since then, I did Summershine for three years, welcomed a niece and nephew into the family, graduated from college, married Jeff Williams, moved away, and built my photography business...and these are only the major life changers!

So much love

Thankful for my story
God's given me a story so that I can reach out to people.  When I see a facebook update about someone loosing their father or someone going through cancer, I try to comment and share encouragement.  Obviously, their wasn't an earthly victory over cancer, but I can at least relate to the hospital visits, chemo, and hospice.
Sometimes I'll include his story in my testimony.  It's extremely powerful to talk about a man who was diagnosed with stage 4 advanced cancer, given only 2 weeks to live, sitting in his bed quoting Romans 8:28 to his wife and six children after delivering his diagnoses.  Dad's positive attitude set the stage for our grieving, for our recovery.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 ESV

Dad & James coaching at BR

Good Grief
Obviously, I wish I had my Dad here, but I'll let you in on a little secret.  Dad lived his life with a purpose, a Christ centered purpose.  I know he would much rather be in Heaven than living life on earth.  So where do we go from there?  To my family.  We've grown closer through this experience, we cherish each other more, and we are at each others' side when one needs a hand.  We have a strong bond that is hard to explain.  I do believe our experience with Dad's sickness, the 2007 football season, and grieving his death has pulled us closer to each other in a way we couldn't have anticipated.  We've been able to help each other and proceed with life.  We all know that Dad wouldn't put up with whining, self pity, or complaining.  I think his former football players could tell you how that would go.
I've learned that it's healthy to share about my experience.  I love telling Jeff stories about the quirky things Dad would do.  His sneezes, his daily habits, his words of wisdom.  Sometimes I wish I could sit down at the table with Mom and Dad.  He'd be scribbling football plays on a napkin and I'd be spilling a dramatic story to mom.  Mom and I'd finish talking and debating on what to do about the situation.  Then Dad would put his pen down, look up, and within one simple sentence he'd set things straight and tell me what to do.
During dad's sickness and death, there was no shortage of support.  I remember receiving a gas gift card because someone thought about me driving from NGU to the hospital each day.  The Blue Ridge community, former football players, Mt Lebanon Baptist Church, friends, family, and North Greenville University really showed their sincere love and support!

No Pedestal Here
Dad was pretty awesome, but I want you to know these words are NOT to glorify him.  His life was spent seeking to glorify God, not himself.  Of course Dad wasn't perfect.  These words are to encourage you to embrace the people around you.  Don't waste a second questioning your relationship with Christ.  Take pictures, cell phone or camera, I don't care what with, but really take pictures. Live your life with a purpose, seek God for that purpose.

Here's a video of a former player's visit to Dad while in the hospital.  He explains things well.

blur blur blur

Photography
What does photography have to do with Dad? Well I was in the football stands and taking pictures of him on the sidelines every Friday night.  The setting was dark, lots of motion...this means lots of blur.  I remember crying over some of the pictures because they came out blurry.  It was then that I knew I needed a camera that would allow me to control the settings and produce the images I had in mind.  So there ya go, I got my first DSLR December 1, 2007.  Since then I've learned and learned, made mistakes, learned some more.  As I approach each session or wedding, my motivation for getting all family members and special people in different combinations is fueled by the collection of pictures I have of Dad.  I'm so thankful I have pictures.  You can never have too many, once someone is gone, you wish you had more.



So here's today's "I'm thankful for..." post
Day 28:  I'm thankful for the 18 years I had with my Daddy.  I'm also thankful for the last five years...A lot has happened since he passed away.  I've missed him through each step. 11.28.2007

Now for a few Farnham memories.  These pictures are priceless to me.  I can't believe these times were that long ago!  It feels like yesterday.

Dad's first year at Blue Ridge, notice the bruise on his forehead from head butting a player at practice

Daddy Vince(Grand father) always took family pictures at our holiday celebrations. 2001

Super Hero Day

Hunting Thanksgiving 2006

Relay For Life Pageant April 2007

One of our many visits to Clemson

Lots of support, November 2007