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Written by Sparky Pritchard Friday, 30 July 2010 12:54

Many emotions flood my mind as I deal with the death of my father.  These final days of watching him and feeling helpless were painful and difficult.  But it was part of the process of letting him go … realizing that death was not an enemy, but a hinge to eternity and the glorious inheritance that my father would experience in my Father’s House.  As those of you who have experienced a death in the family know, the hours and days that follow are long and demanding on time, energy, and emotions.  You hardly know what day it is.  For me it was not simply dealing with the details of a death and the handling of the arrangements, but the struggle to put together the eulogy and message while dealing with many other matters.  In God’s grace, everything came together for the memorial service in North Carolina.  When the chapel service had ended, and I stepped out into the foyer to head to the cemetery, it seemed so unreal.  Was this my own father’s funeral that I had just conducted?  Then at the graveside … my heart was overwhelmed to watch the members of the Savannah River Grass bear my dad’s body to its final resting place … and then pick up their instruments and play some of dad’s favorite bluegrass songs.  It was the best moment of the day … to hear those sounds and have them trigger memories long forgotten.  Across the hillside no more than a hundred yards away was the place where mom, dad, and I used to live.  Dad had come home … and gone Home.  The reality is still sinking in … or trying to.  But with so much yet to do in the wake of his death, there is little time to reflect.

But among the things that have brought me great encouragement and comfort are first and foremost, our hope in Christ … the mountain of cards and expressions of love that you have provided … the personal comments, hugs, and prayers of many … the incredible support of the staff … the beautiful flowers sent by the Board and other special friends that warmed my heart … the gracious help and kindness of Sam Harrison at Bennett’s Funeral Home along with Charles Moorehead … several precious friends who showed up at the funeral … and the wonderful love and support of my own wife, daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren.  There are no words to adequately express my heartfelt gratitude for all that you have done for me during these days, and really over the past eighteen months of caring for my dad.  I have sensed your love and compassion over and over again.  Thank you one and all.  And may God’s richest blessings be yours for the kindness you have shown.