When I was little I wanted to go EVERYWHERE with my dad. Hunting, fishing, walking in our neighborhood, riding ANYWHERE, no matter the destination, I wanted to be with him. I didn't however get to go hunting because that was done in North Carolina, at Granny and Grangrand's, and back then only the "men" folks did that. (I had 2 older brothers, John and Stan, and a cousin, Chris who were FARRRR from being "men"). I was expected to stay home with Mom and Granny and go to "town" shopping...like "women" are supposed to. Needless to say, I was never happy about that,...unlessssss I got something new. :) I did, however, fish with him on the beach by Duck Inn and Daddy taught me how to catch sand fiddlers for bait. As an adult I finally got a chance to hunt with Daddy and although we saw nothing at all...I was so thankful for the opportunity. Daddy used to take me to Krispy Kreme on Saturday mornings on occasion and we would sit at the counter, just he and I, and DEVOUR warm doughnuts and the coldest, most refreshing milk on the planet. Even more often, he would make his famous french toast for me, right here where I'm sitting now, in this house that he and Mom made home for us since I was 3 yrs old. Dad was always such a hard worker...An awesome provider for his lovely wife and 3 children. It was that same persevering, determined spirit that kept him fighting and pushing to make every minute count since his diagnosis and prognosis last year. My daddy taught me to ride a bike, take a shower instead of a bath, how to bait a hook, shoot a gun, drive a car and add and subtract. ... he lost me on multiplication and division though. :) His and my mom's love for christian music was ingrained in all three of us from birth. We sang as a family in our church services, at home around the organ, at Granny and Grangrand's around the organ or piano, And Always, Always, Always in the car...especially road trips. We loved it so much and hold the fondest memories of all the hymns we sang on those trips. ...very, very often trips. My Daddy left this world with the peace of knowing his ENTIRE family know the Lord as their (our) personal Saviour. He knew what an awesome, awesome gift it was for him to be able to KNOW that his wife, in-laws, children, children's spouses, grandchildren and even some of his great-grand children are saved, born again believers in Christ Jesus. He held great reverence and humility for that knowledge, as he raised us to know Christ. Daddy loved so much to sing. Especially "Gaither and friends" gospel. For the last few months it became harder and harder for him to do so and that broke my heart. I'm so thankful that now he's singin' better than ever and instead of doing it here, where he can "only imagine", he's singing there, where he no longer has to imagine anything. It's the real deal!! He's singing right directly to the King of Kings!!! Hallelujah!!! What a day that will be when I can join you, Daddy, in that "Castle in the Sky". YOU HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, YOU HAVE RUN YOUR RACE, AND YOU HAVE FINALLY MADE IT HOME!!! BLESSED BE THE NAME OF OUR MAGNIFICENT, MIGHTY GOD! Until we meet again I will miss you. Love, Your one and only daughter and baby, Melonie