To My husband On Fathers Day

When we met you were just a 15 year old boy,
The boy in the Red Hobie Jacket.
Everyone was talking about you that year at camp.
They said you had just gotten saved but you preached like a pro.
When I first saw you you were standing on top of a van pleading with the lost for their souls

The next thing I knew you joined my team.
I was shocked because it was the clean up crew.
I remember you with your arms in the sink doing piles of dishes .
I heard rumers you joined just to meet me.

On the last day of camp, you showed up at my dorm.
and declared your crush outside my window.
All the girls were jealous, I was embarassed.
but I still have that letter.


I thought it was just a summer crush and we were so very young.
But soon I found out as I returned home that you were very serious.
In no time at all you were there in West Virginia.
Mom and Dad asked you to speak at the service that night.

I knew on that night that I would be your bride.
Dad, Mom and Jerry all were in tears as you ended the sermon.
It was so simple, you just preached the cross.
But you had won the love and respect of my family.

In a just a few years we were married.
One year later our Amber was born.
I never loved you more than when I saw you with our daughter.
16 months later Ashton was born and you thought they walked on water.

You were a wonderful Daddy,
everyday you came home with a "prize" for them.
they were always watching at the door for you.
You played with them read to them and spent happy hours watching cartoons.

Do you remember them always piling in our bed?
You told them silly stories and sang them ballads
like a boy named Sue and silly rap songs.
You were conquered by two sweet lttle girls.

Hannah was born a few years later.
she almost died that night but you rode with her in the helicopter.
Praying all the way, I never saw you so worried.
We held each other and cried in the elevater begging God to heal her.

God asnswered our prayers and we spoiled that little girl.
And we're paying for that yet. She is our baby to this day.
You taught them how to ride bikes and fish and camp.
Holidays and vacations your always the funny one.

Then they became the dreaded teen-agers.
And you worried and cried and prayed.
Many family meetings I bet you didn't think they were listening.
But I know they were, you should hear them brag about you.

I've held your hand through these times, good and bad.
Sometimes I do and say things that I shouldn't.
I'm a Mom and your a Dad and sometimes our perspectives are different.
But one thing I know is how much you love and would gladly give all you have for them.

Thank you for loving us and working so hard to provide for us, I know thats it's not easy.
Thank you for being honest and a real man of God and doing what is right even when it cost us.
Thank you for loving both of our parents and always caring for them and honoring them.
Thank you for crying with us and laughing with us and living "happily in a house full of girls.
They will always know what a "real" man is because you are their father.

I know we're not perfect parents but we have this common bond.
There is nothing in this world that is more precious than these three beautiful girls,
They've seen you live a life, sometimes full of strife but they know that their Dad is so REAL.
So the prayers that you've prayed I know are not in vain because of your example,

So I love you so much more today then I did way back then.
I'd never trade one day of this life that we've lived even though at times it's been tough.
And I'll stand by your side for the whole ride, We're in this until the very end.
I want you to know that we are so proud of you and we know the price you have paid.
You are our very own hero, my husband and one of the very best Daddies to 3 beautiful girls.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

My Dad, the Fearless June Bug Killer

My Dad, The Fearless June Bug Killer.

I came into this world, Late in his life,
53 years old with 3 kids and a wife.
I wasn't planned It was shocking I'm sure,
But here he was now with a new Baby Girl.

For the start I loved my sweet Dad
and spent many happy hours right there in his lap.
He had the strongest shoulders in the world.
He throw me up high and I was secure.

He made me big breafasts of eggs and corned beef
in the little black skillet in the oven he'd keep.
He'd sit at the table and read God's word every day
then take me to school and then the playground to play.

I'll never forget the time that I fell off the merry-go round,
He had tears in eyes as he picked me up from the ground.
Rushed back to the house where he cleaned up my cut's and combed my curls
Then off to get Ice Cream at Red Barn with his little girl.

Saturday mornings were the happiest yet.
Up early to practice my coronet.
After my lesson without fail, to Duncan Donuts we would go.
He'd let me have coffe as much as I'd liked and all the doughnuts were chocolate Iced.

He spoiled me rotten. It was a disgrace,
but he couldn't handle my sad little face.
cold luches at school just couldn't be had,
12 :00 every day, here would come my Dad.

Mc Donalds, Hardee's, Pizza or Chicken.
It was always a hot meal that I would be getting.
And sometimes he'd stay and have lunch with me.
We'd eat on the playground and he'd stay for P.E.

I can still see him sitting in his station Wagon.
reading his Bible so patiant so happy.
My friends all said I was the luckiest girl around.
Because on weekends he'd take us to town.

Off to the mall it was a long way,
but he was happy to do it and happy to pay.
He was our hero our favorite Dad,
and gave me the very best times to be had.

And on those long, hot summer nights,
He's sit with me and watch the lights,
in old mason jars the lightening bugs.
we caught in the cool green grass that I loved.

Stricklands Ice Cream runs.
Late at night and lots of fun.
Falling asleep in the car coming back,
Then to be carried up to my room like a happy sack.


On the hot and sweltery summer nights
I had one horrible, scary fright.
The horrid June bug buzzing in flight.
They would terrorize me until I would cry

And then here would come my big strong Dad.
With a giant fly swatter in his hand.
He'd kill the pesky bugs outright and then he's make sure he left on the light.
Then a drink of water, hugs and kisses, prayers and good night.

The very best Dad in the world I have known.
A great Man a hero, in war and at home.
He was a husband who lived for his wife
and loved his children more than his own Life.

Teen age years, I'm sure for him wasn't easy at all
but he was determined that he would stay close and keep me safe from harm.
One night I was sure my heart was shattered, My dad showed me what really mattered.
He went and got pizza, candy and Gone With The Wind Marathon and very soon my tears were all gone.

Then the day came that he had dreaded. The day his last little girl would be wedded.
Right before we walked the aisle he was crying through his smile.
He loved Keith as a son and he knew he was the right one.
On the day that we left to start our life we pulled away as dad stood crying in the drive.

Then the day came when he was Grandpa Murrell,
and there was one special, little smurfette girl.
He was more gentle even kinder, more loving and happy,
and each new grandchild made him kind of sappy.

Grandchildren were perfect he'd say,
and get mad if you discilined them in any way.
The'd climb on his lap and ride in his car.
They'd get by with anything, they were the star.

Then we could see our dad was growing old.
Silver haired and a back that was bowed.
He was sweet and gentle and selfless up to the end.
He was a treasure to God we would send.

On a hot summer afternoon one sad day in June,
We all gathered in his living room.
He held us all close and the look in eyes,
Let us know he was not very long for this life.

He looked at his beauty, his best friend, his bride,
And told he loved her they'd had a good Life.
He held all his children 2 daughters a son,
son in laws, Tammy, one just like his own, little granddaughters and grandson.

He smiled and told us of his love,
For us and Mom and most of all for his Jesus, His Savior
Then we sang to him "Peace Like A River in my Soul"
And we watchesd in awe at a perfect man go.

Heaven trembled and cried as hail fell to the ground,
And we all knew somehow as he made that last sound,
This world had lost a most powerful warrior, a hero,
A patriarch had entered heavens portal.

Now he's reunited with the love of his life,
and together they are with the daughter, they lost one sad night.
In heaven with the GOD they served all of their Life.
I can only imagine it's one beautiful sight.

As the years pass by and I miss them so much.
I'd give anything for just one last precious touch.
But the memories I've kept so deep in my heart,
And I live to be reunited again.... never to part.